Language and Soft Skills Workshop: Learn and Apply the Principles of Persuasion

Workshop Overview

This workshop combines English learning and soft skills development, focusing on scientifically grounded principles of persuasion. Designed for strong intermediate learners and above, the session aims to enhance participants' understanding of persuasion techniques while expanding their vocabulary and communication skills. Activities promote critical thinking, collaboration, and practical application, drawing on research-based strategies in social psychology.

The entire workshop lasts approximately 150 minutes, but can be broken into 60-90 minute sections. Reading and application tasks can also be done between sessions, freeing up time for more communication during sessions.

Workshop Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

1. Understand six key principles of persuasion (Reciprocity, Scarcity, Authority, Consistency, Liking, and Social Proof).
2. Learn to identify persuasion principles and tactics in the world.
3. Practice presenting ideas clearly and collaboratively in group discussions.
4. Brainstorm and apply persuasive techniques ethically in workplace scenarios.

Workshop Outline

• Introduction (10–15 minutes)
• Jigsaw reading activity and discussion of principles (60 minutes)
• Interactive quiz to examine principles at work in the world (20-30 minutes)
• Application task: Applying persuasion principles (40-50 minutes)
• Video viewing (optional)

Materials Included

• Extensive trainer notes
• Elaborated texts for jigsaw reading
• Session slide deck with task instructions and useful language
• Framework for final application task