In August 2026, Experience Workshop brought together educators from Germany, Latvia, Hungary, and India for a six-day Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) teacher training course in Jyväskylä, Finland. Led by trainer Jukka Lehtoranta, this Erasmus+ course gave participants a structured introduction to the principles, frameworks, and practical methods of SEL in education.
About the course
The training drew on the CASEL Framework, the most widely recognised structure for SEL in schools, and combined it with Finnish teaching practices in this area. In Finland, social and emotional learning is not treated as an add-on but as a foundational part of the education system, with teacher education explicitly covering SEL competencies and student well-being as part of the national curriculum. Participants were able to see this philosophy in action and consider how to adapt it for their own classrooms and national contexts.
The six-day programme moved through a clear sequence. Participants started with the theoretical foundations of SEL, including an exploration of how emotional and social skills affect student behaviour and achievement. The course then progressed through practical areas such as managing group dynamics, handling conflict, promoting teamwork, and creating inclusive learning environments. A session was devoted to integrating SEL principles into everyday classroom management, with a focus on student engagement and participation. Towards the end, the group worked on assessment tools for measuring SEL outcomes and discussed how to build a sustainable culture of social and emotional learning in their schools.
The course provided balance between classroom-based learning and exposure to Finnish culture and education. The programme included an educational sightseeing tour of Jyväskylä, which has a unique place in Finnish education history as the home of the country’s first teacher training institute and the University of Jyväskylä, a major centre for educational research and teacher education. The cultural element continued with a morning sauna visit and swimming in a lake, an experience that offered insight into the Finnish connection between well-being, nature, and community. Another session included an outdoor learning exercise called Framed Stories, where participants explored nature and practised critical thinking through writing short five-verse poems.
The course structure was designed to encourage practical outcomes. Participants developed action plans for sustaining SEL in their own school environments and reflected on how to disseminate their learning to colleagues. Jukka’s approach was not to deliver information for its own sake but to support participants in adapting content to their own educational systems and daily practices. Interaction between participants was a central part of the learning process, with opportunities to exchange ideas and build an international professional network.
Feedback from Participants
“I truly understand how vital emotional safety and engagement are for learning, and I will use inclusive SEL strategies—like visual check-ins and non-verbal group work—to help every student feel supported.”
“I particularly enjoyed and found it extremely useful to work through practical case studies and real-life examples.”
“Working together in small groups was a highlight of the experience. Collaborating with colleagues allowed us to exchange practical insights, brainstorm creative solutions.”
Photo credits: Tereza Pruknerová and participants of the course
The job shadowing mobility was realized in the frameworks of the Erasmus+ KA1 programme.
Would you like to participate in a similar educational program?
info@experienceworkshop.org
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