The Degree to which Soft Skills are Included in the Vocational Education Curriculum for the eighth Grade in Jordan

Abstract

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the extent to which soft skills are incorporated into the vocational education curriculum for the eighth grade in Jordan. A descriptive-analytical approach was used, and the sample consisted of the eighth-grade vocational education textbook (first and second semesters). To achieve this objective, the researcher designed a list of soft skills comprising nine skills: critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication and media skills, professional skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, life skills, job skills, digital skills, and dependent learning skills. The results showed that leadership skills were listed first (203 times), followed by professional skills (176 times), communication skills (100 times), job skills (70 times), dependent learning skills (50 times), communication and media skills (31 times), critical thinking and problem-solving skills (14 times), life skills (8 times), and finally, digital skills (1 time). The study concluded with a set of recommendations, the most important of which is: redistributing the content of the textbook to ensure a greater balance between all areas of skills, especially digital skills, critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills, given their importance in 21st-century skills.