Learn to Speak. Learn to Listen. Learn to Be Heard.
Find your voice. Express your ideas. Understand others. Build relationships. Face the world with confidence.
A Communication and Negotiation Skills Programme
The Communication & Negotiation Programme is a personal and interpersonal skills development programme. It is not an English language course and does not provide English language tuition.
English is used exclusively as the working language and communication platform through which participants practise communication, negotiation, problem solving, self-expression and relationship building.
The programme has been developed from more than 20 years of research and practical experience in communication and negotiation education. It brings together two decades of work with young people and adults to create a practical approach that helps participants become more confident, open and effective communicators.
Young People Need More Than Languages
Young people today live in a world of constant digital communication. Computers, mobile phones, social media and artificial intelligence have transformed the way they interact with other people.
Yet being constantly connected does not necessarily mean being able to communicate effectively.
Many young people find it difficult to express their needs, present their opinions, deal with disagreement, defend their position or simply have the confidence to speak openly with another person.
Words Have Power
Words have power.
Language is a tool.
An open mind is a shield that helps us walk through life.
We want young people to understand that their voice matters.
They learn how to speak with confidence, listen to others, express disagreement without aggression, stand up for their legitimate interests and search for constructive solutions when situations become difficult.
The objective is not to teach participants how to speak English.
The objective is to teach people how to use their voice.
What Will Participants Develop?
During the programme, participants work on their ability to:
- communicate with greater confidence;
- express ideas and opinions openly;
- communicate needs and expectations;
- overcome hesitation in interpersonal situations;
- listen actively and understand different perspectives;
- defend a position respectfully;
- stand up for their rights and legitimate interests;
- negotiate and search for constructive solutions;
- deal with difficult conversations;
- manage disagreement and conflict;
- solve problems through dialogue;
- build positive relationships;
- work effectively with other people;
- communicate in multicultural environments;
- adapt to challenging and rapidly changing situations.
We Help Young People Find Their Voice
Our programme creates an environment in which young people are encouraged to communicate.
They talk. They listen. They discuss. They negotiate. They solve problems. They exchange ideas. They learn to disagree respectfully. They learn to stand up for themselves while recognising the perspectives of others.
English provides the common platform for these activities, but the educational objective is the development of communication and negotiation skills, not language learning.
Learning Through Communication
The programme is delivered through interactive communication workshops, discussions, role plays, negotiation simulations, problem-solving tasks, case scenarios and collaborative activities.
Participants are encouraged to talk, question, explain, negotiate, persuade, listen, cooperate and search for solutions.
The emphasis is on communication behaviour and interpersonal competence, rather than linguistic instruction.
Programme Format
Target group: primarily young people aged 14–18
Entry requirement: minimum B1 English proficiency
Duration: 1 week
Programme: 20 hours of communication and negotiation workshops
Working language: English
Location: Malta
The B1 requirement exists because participants need sufficient English proficiency to participate actively in workshops and group activities. English language proficiency is therefore an entry requirement and working medium, not the subject or learning outcome of the programme.
The programme can also be adapted for university students, teachers, professionals, managers and other adult groups seeking to develop their communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
More Than a Course
We invite young people to Malta not to study English, but to develop something that can support them throughout their lives:
The confidence and ability to communicate with other people.
To speak.
To listen.
To negotiate.
To solve problems.
To express ideas.
To stand up for themselves.
To build positive relationships.
To have the confidence to be heard.
St Mary’s Institute Malta
Your voice matters. Learn how to use it.
The Communication & Negotiation Programme is a communication and interpersonal skills development programme delivered in English. It does not constitute English language tuition or an English language course.
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