Lesson Plan | Socioemotional Learning | Asia: Asian Tigers

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to contextualize students on the topic of the class and align them with the specific objectives that will be addressed. This stage is crucial to prepare the ground for a deeper understanding of the economic and commercial aspects of the Asian Tigers, in addition to starting the development of socio-emotional competencies such as social awareness and social skills.

Main Goals

1. Introduce students to the concept of Asian Tigers and their relevance in the global economic landscape.

2. Explore the commercial and economic relationships of the Asian Tigers both within and outside the Asian continent.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

Emotional Warm-up Activity

Guided Meditation for Concentration

The Guided Meditation activity is an exercise aimed at promoting students' focus, presence, and concentration. Through a series of directed instructions, students are guided to focus on their breathing and progressively relax each part of their body. This activity helps create a mental environment conducive to learning, while also developing skills of self-awareness and self-control.

1. Ask students to sit comfortably in their chairs, with their feet on the ground and their hands resting on their laps.

2. Request that they close their eyes and begin to concentrate on their breathing, inhaling slowly and deeply through their nose and exhaling through their mouth.

3. Guide students to pay attention to the air entering and leaving their lungs, feeling the expansion and contraction of their abdomen.

4. After a few minutes, start a progressive muscle relaxation, beginning with the feet and moving up to the head. Ask them to slightly tense the area while inhaling and relax completely while exhaling.

5. Continue guiding students for a few more minutes, encouraging them to release any tension or thoughts that may arise, focusing only on their breathing and relaxation.

6. To conclude, ask students to take three deep breaths and, when they feel ready, slowly open their eyes, returning their attention to the classroom.

Content Contextualization

The Asian Tigers – Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan – are known for their dynamic economies and rapid industrialization since the 1960s. These nations stand out not only for economic growth but also for innovative trade and technological development strategies, which have had a significant impact on the global landscape. By understanding the success of these countries, students can develop a broader social awareness, realizing how different societies face economic challenges and seize opportunities to prosper.

Additionally, studying the Asian Tigers helps understand the importance of international and commercial relations. These countries benefit not only from their internal policies but also from their interactions with other nations. This illustrates the relevance of responsible decision-making and social skills in the global sphere, showing how cooperation and negotiation are essential for economic growth and sustainable development.

Development

Duration: (60 - 75 minutes)

Theoretical Framework

Duration: (30 - 35 minutes)

1. Concept of Asian Tigers: Explain that the Asian Tigers are four highly developed economies in Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. These countries are known for their rapid economic growth and accelerated industrialization that began in the 1960s.

2. Historical Context and Economic Development: Detail the historical context that led to the emergence of the Asian Tigers. Discuss the economic policies adopted, such as the opening to foreign investments, emphasis on education, and development of technology and infrastructure.

3. Commercial and Economic Relations: Describe how the Asian Tigers have established robust commercial relationships both within and outside the Asian continent. Provide examples of strategic partnerships, such as trade agreements with the United States, European Union, and other Asian countries.

4. Global Impact: Explain the impact these economies have on the global landscape. Discuss their influence on financial markets, the global supply chain, and technological development. Use examples such as the presence of companies like Samsung (South Korea), TSMC (Taiwan), and the port of Singapore.

5. Challenges and Opportunities: Discuss the challenges faced by the Asian Tigers, such as social inequality, dependency on exports, and geopolitical tensions. At the same time, highlight opportunities for innovation, sustainable growth, and technological leadership.

Socioemotional Feedback Activity

Duration: (30 - 35 minutes)

Case Analysis: Commercial Relations of the Asian Tigers

In this activity, students will be divided into groups, and each group will analyze a case study related to the commercial and economic relationships of one of the Asian Tigers. Students will apply the RULER method to identify and regulate the emotions involved in the economic and commercial decisions presented in the cases.

1. Divide students into four groups and assign each group one of the Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan).

2. Provide each group with a case study detailing a relevant commercial or economic partnership for the designated country.

3. Instruct the groups to read and discuss the case study, identifying the emotions involved in the economic decisions (Recognize).

4. Ask groups to discuss the causes and consequences of the identified emotions (Understand).

5. Guide students to name the appropriate emotions involved (Name).

6. Encourage groups to discuss how these emotions can be appropriately expressed in a professional context (Express).

7. Finally, ask groups to propose strategies to regulate these emotions effectively, aiming for more balanced commercial decisions (Regulate).

8. Each group should present their conclusions to the class, highlighting the identified emotions and proposed regulation strategies.

Group Discussion

After the group presentations, guide a group discussion using the RULER method. Recognize the emotions that students identified in their case studies, highlighting the importance of perceiving these emotions in economic contexts. Understand the causes and consequences of these emotions, encouraging students to reflect on how emotions can influence commercial and economic decisions.

Name the emotions accurately during the discussion, helping students expand their emotional vocabulary. Express appropriately how these emotions can be manifested in professional environments, promoting a debate on the importance of emotional intelligence in commercial relationships. Regulate emotions by proposing practical strategies that can be applied both in academic and professional contexts to ensure more balanced and responsible decisions.

Conclusion

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

Emotional Reflection and Regulation

Propose to students a written reflection activity or a group discussion about the challenges faced during the class, focusing specifically on how they managed their emotions while dealing with the case studies and presentations. Ask them to write or discuss in one or two paragraphs the feelings experienced, difficulties encountered, and the strategies they used to maintain self-control and cooperation with peers. Encourage them to be honest and share both moments of success and difficulty, highlighting how emotions influenced their decisions and interactions.

Objective: The objective of this activity is to encourage students to conduct a deep self-assessment of their emotions and behaviors during the class. This will help develop greater self-awareness and identify effective strategies for dealing with challenging situations in the future. Additionally, the reflection and discussion on these socio-emotional aspects will promote a more empathetic and collaborative learning environment.

Closure and A Look Into The Future

Explain to students the importance of setting personal and academic goals related to the content of the class. Ask each student to write down one personal and one academic goal they wish to achieve based on what they learned about the Asian Tigers and the socio-emotional skills developed. The goals may include deepening knowledge about Asian economies, improving presentation skills, or developing greater self-control in stressful situations.

Possible Goal Ideas:

1. Deepen knowledge about the economies of the Asian Tigers.

2. Improve presentation and communication skills.

3. Develop effective self-control strategies in stressful situations.

4. Strengthen the ability to work in groups and cooperate with peers.

5. Apply the RULER method in other areas of academic and personal life. Objective: The objective of this subsection is to reinforce students' autonomy by encouraging them to apply their learning in practical and continuous ways. Setting personal and academic goals will help students maintain focus on their development, both academically and emotionally, promoting sustainable and balanced growth. This will better prepare them to face future challenges with resilience and emotional intelligence.