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ASEAN TEACHER SEL COMPETENCY SKILL TRAINING

Play with Emotions, Teach with Magic!

Across ASEAN, teachers face classrooms where emotions and stress often block learning. Our innovation equips them with playful, practical SEL training that transforms challenges into teaching magic. The result: safe, joyful classrooms where children thrive, teachers feel empowered, and schools grow into caring learning communities.

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated August 2025

2025

Established

1

Countries
Teachers
Target group
We hope to see classrooms where teachers feel confident managing emotions, parents trust teachers, and children feel safe to learn and grow. By building teachers’ SEL competencies, education shifts from focusing only on exams to nurturing resilient, empathetic, and motivated learners, creating schools that are both caring and effective.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

We created this innovation because teachers in Malaysia were facing challenges beyond academics. Many could teach the syllabus well, but felt unprepared when children arrived stressed, distracted, or emotionally overwhelmed. Parents’ anxieties often spilled into classrooms, leaving teachers caught between academic demands and emotional realities. Traditional training focused on curriculum and exams, but rarely prepared teachers to manage emotions, relationships, or classroom climate. This gap led to teacher burnout, children feeling misunderstood, and schools losing the joy of learning.

Our innovation was designed to close this gap. Through playful, practical SEL training, teachers gain confidence to turn emotional challenges into moments of connection. Children experience classrooms that feel safe and joyful, teachers feel supported and empowered, and schools grow into stronger, more caring communities where true learning can flourish.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

The Teacher SEL Competency Skill Training uses a Gamified Blended Learning method that makes learning lively and practical. Trainers from HQ appear via Green Screen on Zoom to guide sessions, while teachers gather at their own centers to join in real time. Local center managers serve as leaders, motivating and supporting their teams throughout the process.

Instead of traditional lectures, teachers learn through interactive activities: playing board games, acting out classroom scenarios, engaging in group discussions, and reflecting on how to respond to real challenges. For example, a role-play may ask how to support a child in meltdown or how to calm themselves before meeting an anxious parent. Trainers interact directly with teachers, encouraging dialogue and sharing insights, while peers reflect together on their experiences.

Through this playful, collaborative approach, teachers practice SEL, build confidence, and take away skills they can apply immediately in class—transforming both themselves and their classrooms.

How has it been spreading?

The training started inside our own network of centers and quickly spread through word of mouth. Teachers shared how SEL practices improved classroom atmosphere and student engagement, which encouraged more colleagues to join. During National Training Week 2025, hundreds of teachers attended an SEL online training, creating strong demand nationwide. Center managers now lead their teams locally, while HQ delivers consistent, structured sessions online. The gamified and practical design makes SEL easy to adopt, and small daily practices ripple outward to peers and communities. To safeguard our work, we copyrighted the training model, ensuring its integrity as it scales into a nationwide movement.

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

At first, the focus was mainly on raising awareness about SEL. But we quickly saw that awareness alone wasn’t enough — teachers needed practice. We therefore added scenario-based role plays, board games, and reflection cards so they could experience SEL directly. Activities were localized to reflect Malaysian culture, classroom dynamics, and parent–teacher relationships. We also expanded the model from teacher–student interactions to include workplace SEL, covering relationships with colleagues, leaders, parents, and even community partners. By introducing the Gamified Blended Learning methodology, HQ guides via Green Screen while center managers lead on-site. Most recently, we copyrighted the full training model, securing recognition and protection as we continue to adapt for wider adoption.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

The best way is to experience it. Start with an introductory online workshop, where HQ trainers guide interactive sessions using Green Screen, while you practice with board game cards and scenario scripts. Begin with one or two simple strategies — such as starting class with an “emotion check-in” or using a playful breathing exercise. For schools, we recommend piloting with a small group of teachers, then sharing outcomes with colleagues. Our programme blends online guidance with local facilitation, making it flexible and practical. For organizations ready to scale, we offer licensee opportunities and Master Trainer Training. Contact us to join a session, and take the first step in playing with emotions and teaching with magic.

Implementation steps

Join the Training
Attend an online session where HQ trainers guide via Green Screen on Zoom and introduce SEL concepts through games and stories.
Practice with Tools
Use board games, role-play cards, and reflection sheets to apply SEL in classroom scenarios with guidance from your center manager.
Apply & Reflect
Choose one SEL strategy, use it daily in class, then reflect and share results with colleagues for continuous growth.

Spread of the innovation

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