Building confidence and assertiveness lesson

These activities focus on improving self confidence by exploring personal challenges and  the ways young people can deal with those situations. World of work case studies and challenges are incorporated, which can help students think practically about the role of self confidence in building a successful future.

 Teaching resources:

• Building confidence and assertiveness: Lesson plan and presentation slides –full lesson plan for use with a group of students in the classroom
• Confidence in the workplace: Facebook live film – short film which can be used to start the lesson to provide an overview of the topic

Lesson plan

(60 - 120 minutes)

This lesson is designed to help build students’ self esteem while motivating them to face challenges confidently. It also aims to support young people to build their assertiveness, overcome fears and realise their goals. In turn, this will enable them to go on and develop further key skills and abilities such as communication and leadership.

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify strategies for overcoming personal barriers and work-related challenges
• Draw on techniques to help them become more assertive when facing personal challenges
• Identify the difference between assertive, passive and aggressive behaviour

How can you use this lesson with your students to put assertiveness into practice?

This lesson concentrates on understanding assertive behaviour and practising this in challenging scenarios. It includes situations that students may face after school or college, which can be easily tailored depending on the level and experiences of the group.  

Facebook live film

(10 minutes)

The Confidence in the workplace film has been created in partnership with education charity The Talent Foundry, adapted from a of Facebook live session. The film can be used as an introduction to the lesson to help students understand the importance of confidence in the workplace and ways they can build their own confidence.

How to teach self confidence and assertiveness with LifeSkills

Students can gradually improve these skills in a variety of ways – listening to others, taking inspiration from successful people and using appropriate body language.

Other lessons that may prove useful for students to build on their confidence and assertiveness include the 'Listening and presenting (communication)' lesson and the 'Recognising skills for success in the workplace' lesson. Why not build confidence and assertiveness as a focus in your students’ wider curriculum? Refer to our Content guide to find out how LifeSkills resources can be used in PSHE, English lessons and much more.