Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES)

The OECD Survey on Social and Emotional Skills is an international survey that identifies and assesses the conditions and practices that foster or hinder the development of social and emotional skills for 10- and 15-year-old students.

This survey can be important for educators for several key reasons.

First, it recognises that academic achievement alone does not fully capture student success. Research consistently shows that skills like resilience, curiosity, teamwork and emotional stability strongly influence academic performance, wellbeing, and future employability. By measuring these competences systematically, SSES broadens the understanding of what it means to provide quality education.

Second, the survey provides reliable, comparable international data. Education systems often focus on cognitive outcomes (e.g., literacy or mathematics), but SSES gives policymakers and schools evidence about students’ socio-emotional development. This helps identify strengths and gaps across different contexts, socio-economic backgrounds, and genders, enabling more equitable and targeted interventions.

Third, SSES supports whole-child education. Schools increasingly recognise that emotional wellbeing, sense of belonging and positive relationships are essential for learning. By highlighting these dimensions, the survey encourages educational policies and school practices that promote safe environments, mental health awareness, and inclusive classroom cultures.

Fourth, it informs teaching practices. Understanding students’ social and emotional profiles can guide teachers in designing activities that foster collaboration, self-regulation and motivation. It also supports the integration of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into curricula rather than treating it as an optional add-on.

Finally, SSES contributes to long-term social outcomes. Social and emotional skills are linked not only to academic success, but also to civic engagement, healthy relationships and labour market participation. By investing in these skills early, education systems help prepare students for life beyond school.

https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/oecd-survey-on-social-and-emotional-skills.html

UNESCO Observatory on the Right to Education

Education is a fundamental human right of every woman, man and child. Nonetheless, it is still not a reality for millions and it is violated every single day. 

The Observatory on the Right to Education provides documentation and information concerning the implementation of the right to education at every level. It provides different options to browse its database: country profiles, a library with about 1.000 documents, and search tools to find information within the country profiles. 

Visit it on: 

http://www.unesco.org/education/edurights/index.php?action=home&lng=en

¿Cómo se habla inglés en España?

Recientemente los medios se hacían eco del nivel de inglés en España de acuerdo a uno de los índices más influyentes y que cubren un número mayor de países: el English Proficiency Index de la organización Education First (EF). Según señala este en su cuarta edición, la última hasta el momento, España se situaba en un nivel de conocimiento moderado, en el puesto 20 de 63 países estudiados. Considerando solo Europa, en el puesto 17 de 24 países analizados.

A pesar de los no excelentes resultados, el informe sobre España señala su evolución positiva desde un nivel de competencia mucho más bajo en el pasado. Otra de las conclusiones interesantes es la disparidad de niveles por comunidades autónomas. En los puestos más altos, Euskadi y la Comunidad de Madrid. En los más bajos, Murcia y Extremadura. Así mismo, se cita una diferencia en cuanto al género que beneficia a las mujeres como mejores hablantes de inglés que los varones.

Si tenéis curiosidad por los datos y por cómo se lleva a cabo esta investigación, podéis acceder al estudio a través de:

http://www.ef.co.uk/epi/

Concretamente, encontraréis el dossier sobre España en:

http://www.ef.co.uk/epi/spotlights/europe/spain/