What is Empathy-based Learning and why is it important to apply it?

Empathy is very important in education because it allows one to understand the needs and feelings of others. It helps us to be better teachers, professors, and mentors because it allows us to understand what our students are going through, what is difficult for them and how we can help them succeed. Empathy also helps us connect better with our students, which can help them feel accepted and focus better on learning.

What is Empathy-based learning?

Empathy-based learning is an approach to education that focuses on fostering and developing emotional intelligence in students. This implies creating a learning environment in which consideration for others, understanding, compassion and empathy are a top priority.

Teachers can implement empathy-based learning by trying to create a positive, friendly atmosphere and mutual respect in the classroom. This may include creating learning that focuses on developing positive relationships between students and teachers and encouraging proactivity among students. Teachers can also use strategies that encourage students to develop and express empathy for other students and to confront their own attitudes and behaviours that may be unfair to others. It would also include allowing and encouraging students to express their opinions and contribute to their community.

Empathy-based learning can include the following models:

1. Self-Reflection Model – is based on self-reflection and allows students to think about their thoughts and emotions in order to respect and understand each other better;

2. Emotional Intelligence Model – helps students develop their emotional intelligence so that they make better decisions and avoid conflicts;

3. Empathy Building Model – helps students develop empathy for other people through sharing emotional experiences and conversations;

4. Conflict Resolution Model – helps students resolve conflicts in a healthy way by identifying and resolving the problem between two people;

5. Active Listening Model – helps students to establish better communication through active listening and understanding of other people.

How should we apply Empathy-based Learning?

In an empathy-based learning environment, teachers strive to understand the individual needs, experiences, and perspectives of their students. This allows them to provide personalised support and guidance and to create lesson plans and activities that are relevant and engaging for their students. Empathy-based learning also involves active listening to and valuing students' voices and experiences and creating a safe and supportive space for open communication and conversation.

Overall, empathy-based learning is focused on creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where students feel supported and motivated to learn and grow. By understanding and relating to their students' emotions and experiences, teachers can help foster a sense of connection and belonging and provide the personalised support and guidance students need to succeed.

Why is it important for us to apply empathy-based learning? What effects does it have on pupils and students?

Empathy-based learning can help students and teachers feel more engaged and motivated to learn, which leads to better academic performance, stronger teacher-student relationships, and greater teacher satisfaction. It can also help students develop important social and emotional skills.

Empathy-based learning can help teachers create stronger, more positive relationships with their students, thereby increasing their satisfaction. This can also foster a sense of trust and connection, making students feel more comfortable and willing to engage in class and follow the teaching material being covered more easily.

Empathy-based Learning – the everyday life of LINK edu Alliance students and teachers

How do employees at LINK edu Alliance educational institutions implement Empathy-based Learning?

There are many ways in which empathy-based learning is implemented by the teachers in our schools. Primarily, they help students develop emotional intelligence skills in order to teach them about empathy and other forms of social intelligence. These trainings include exercises for understanding the emotions of others, accepting emotions, learning how to listen and communicate, as well as how to compromise and solve problems. Employees at LINK edu Alliance educational institutions provide support to students in their learning and development in the form of individual mentoring, group discussions and teamwork activities. Our teachers, professors, pedagogues and psychologists prepare various projects and activities on the topic of empathy, such as sharing personal experiences, having conversations with parents and counsellors, and awareness-raising workshops. Students are encouraged to recognise and accept the emotions of others, to use different communication skills to resolve conflicts and to develop virtues such as tolerance, understanding and solidarity.

I am extremely pleased and proud to be the parent of a Savremena student. During my first encounter with the school management, when I asked about my child’s potential enrolment, I saw how much love, enthusiasm and professionalism you put in your work. I was impressed by your approach, ideas and methods. I couldn’t believe something like this existed in our country! It doesn’t take long to realise that this is a school you would recommend to everyone. Creativity, modern technology, top-quality education, and most of all, the humaneness that can be seen throughout the school, make it truly different and worthy of its name – Savremena Gimnazija. With such an approach, the success of this school and, consequently, our children’s success, is unavoidable. Congratulations! Jelena Đorđević, Andrija’s mum
Contemporary in any sense of the word, our school offers functional knowledge and quality preparation for tertiary education in Serbia and abroad. Implementing modern and creative teaching in the classroom, where the teachers’ pedagogy and students’ performance are aligned with the highest academic standards for the high-school finals, our school develops linguistic, mathematical, scientific, artistic, cultural, technical and ICT competence, which is a prerequisite for further education and professional development. Teaching is supported by the interactive whiteboards and educational software, whereas practice exercises research and critical thinking.