Life Skills & Leadership Manual | Page 4 of 11(^)
Activities and games
Role-playing exercises
Team projects and presentations
Trainer Prerequisites: This course assumes that trainers are comfortable with highly interactive
techniques (hence, referred to as facilitators rather than trainers) and that they have some expertise in
classroom management, creating effective learning environments, and facilitation skills. The following
Peace Corps publications offer effective tools and advice for developing such skills:
Peace Corps Nonformal Education Manual [ICE M0042]
Peace Corps Classroom Management Idea Book [ICE M0088]
While Volunteers may not have specific experience teaching youth life skills, the concepts are fairly basic
and common among youth development practitioners and across cultural contexts. It is impossible to
foresee every contingency in the classroom, but the manual is designed to provide all the necessary
materials to carry out the sessions.
Additionally, as an integral part of the agency’s Focus In/Train Up strategy, there is a related training
package consisting of four two-hour sessions. Participants who complete the Life Skills and Leadership
Manual Training Package in PST or IST will become familiar with the content and processes used in the
Life Skills and Leadership Manual; practice facilitating some of the session activities; and, develop a plan
for adaptation and implementation of the course in their respective sites.
Structure of the Sessions
Each session has the following:
Cover sheet with title, rationale, trainer expertise, time, and any prerequisites
List of trainer preparation, materials, equipment, handouts, and any trainer references
Learning objectives of the session
Instructional sequence written in detail within these divisions: motivation, information, practice,
application, and assessment
Any related materials
All handouts
Language Considerations
Although participants are not expected to have English fluency, all materials are provided in English. It is
up to the instructor to provide translation or to include an interpreter, if needed. An effort has been
made to reduce the amount of text in the handouts, and to provide language at levels appropriate for
youth. Even so, trainers may need to translate anything with text prior to making copies of handouts.
Other Considerations
Adaptation. As is always the case in any Peace Corps experience, it is critical that trainers (Volunteers or
others) take time to adapt sessions to reflect the local situation. It is highly recommended that