Author(s)

DENISE RODRÍGUEZ-ZURITA, HUMBERTO MORÁN-RODRÍGUEZ

Abstract

In today’s highly competitive labour market, employers prioritise social skills over technical skills. Consequently, universities face the challenge of developing not only technical but also social skills among their students. This article presents the application of an experiential learning methodology, specifically service-learning, to strengthen social skills such as communication and teamwork among university students. A total sample of 248 students from engineering, social sciences and tourism programmes were divided into experimental and control groups and surveyed about their social skills, namely communication and teamwork. Non-parametric statistical analysis results indicate a positive influence on effective communication, including the use of appropriate language with different groups and enhanced recognition of the importance of teamwork. This study reveals the importance of the service-learning methodology for developing social skills in engineering, social sciences and tourism students regarding effective communication and teamwork. Therefore, the service-learning methodology should be considered part of the university teaching and learning strategies.

Keywords

communication, service learning, soft skills, teamwork, university