Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an educational framework designed to help students thrive in today’s increasingly globalized world. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), SEL is “…the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions” (CASEL. (2019a).
Guided by five foundational competencies—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—SEL empowers students to become “active, responsible, and engaged citizens.” (UNESCO MGIEP, n.d.). This framework takes children through early learning years and continues to build resilience and emotional intelligence as they grow, helping them navigate the complexities of society.
SEL Across Cultures: The Need for Adaptation
Although SEL has been widely successful in the U.S., where over 356 studies have highlighted its positive impact on students, this framework cannot simply be applied universally. Every community has its own unique values, beliefs, and practices around family, education, and social roles, which shape how SEL needs to be adapted. (UNESCO MGIEP, n.d.). The goal isn’t just to introduce SEL to schools worldwide; rather, it’s about aligning the SEL model with the specific cultural context of each community so that it becomes meaningful and relevant.
The Real-World Impact of Culturally Adapted SEL Programs
When adapted effectively, SEL can profoundly impact cultural dynamics. For example, recent studies show that SEL programs can improve communication, foster empathy, and reduce intercultural conflicts by encouraging mutual respect and social cohesion among diverse students (Martínez, 2023). Imagine classrooms where students from different backgrounds are learning to relate to one another with empathy and respect, skills they carry back to their families and communities.
Using a systematic approach, educators can foster social and emotional growth in their classrooms by creating intentional, supportive learning environments. SEL competencies taught not just in the classroom but through school-wide policies, after-school programs, and family partnerships, allow students to build resilience and develop tools for navigating life’s adversities. This approach has proven effective in helping young people steer away from negative influences like drugs and violence by fostering a sense of identity and belonging (UNESCO MGIEP, n.d.)
This kind of impact is already visible in multicultural schools in urban areas of the U.S., where SEL frameworks are adapted to emphasize intercultural empathy and active community involvement. SEL here becomes more than a program; it becomes a foundation for resilient, emotionally intelligent individuals who understand and value diversity.
Taking the Next Step with SEL
Schools should not shy away from exploring SEL programs out of concern that they’re challenging to apply across their cultures. With guidance from cultural adaptation specialists, inclusive SEL can become a reality.
We have an equal opportunity to create change through the education system, which, in line with our global goal for inclusive access, will one day hopefully touch all children and help them better integrate into the world that awaits them. Together, we can work toward building a more resilient, interconnected society that’s ready to embrace the challenges of a globalized world.
Connect with our team to discuss adapting SEL for your community’s unique values and needs. Let’s make SEL a meaningful, inclusive part of education worldwide.
Instagram: @linguatico
LinkedIn: LinguatiCo
References
CASEL. (2019a). Core SEL competencies. Retrieved from https://casel.org/core-competencies/
UNESCO MGIEP. (n.d.). What is Systemic Social and Emotional Learning and Why Does it Matter?. Retrieved from [https://mgiep.unesco.org/article/what-is-systemic-social-and-emotional-learning-and-why-does-it-matter](https://mgiep.unesco.org/article/what-is-systemic-social-and-emotional-learning-and-why-does-it-matter).
Martínez, J. (2023). The Role of Social-Emotional Education in Cultural Dynamics. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(3), 83.
Comentários