Communication Skills for Young Creatives

About this class

This practical five-session course is designed for Grade 11 and Grade 12 participants preparing for university, interviews, presentations, and future professional opportunities.

Through interactive discussions, writing workshops, group challenges, mock interviews, peer feedback, and presentation practice, participants will learn how to communicate their strengths, experiences, interests, and future goals with greater confidence and clarity.

Participants will develop practical application and professional communication skills, including university essay writing, résumé development, professional emails, interview preparation, public speaking, research and citation, and presentation design. The course also introduces emotional intelligence, academic integrity, responsible AI use, visual analysis, and career exploration.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed a collection of materials and experiences they can use as they prepare for university and beyond.

Participants will leave the course with:

A university essay or personal statement draft, one-page résumé, professional email samples, presentation slides, interview preparation materials, visual-analysis practice, mock interview experience, and a personal education and career action plan.

Class Outline

Week 1 – Knowing Yourself and Communicating with Others

• Explore identity, values, emotional intelligence, active listening, confidence, and nonverbal communication.
• Activity: Create a personal identity map and prepare a 60-second personal introduction.

Week 2 – Academic Writing, Research and Personal Voice

• Learn how to interpret university application prompts, develop a strong personal voice, structure an essay, conduct research, evaluate sources, cite information, and use AI responsibly.
• Activity: Develop a university essay or personal statement draft and complete a short research and citation exercise.

Week 3 – Professional Communication and Presentation Skills

• Learn how to adapt communication for different audiences and develop professional emails, résumés, presentations, and effective speaking techniques.
• Activity: Create a one-page résumé, professional email samples, and a short presentation with supporting slides.

Week 4:  Interviews, Analysis and Professional Presence

• Develop confidence in university and professional interviews through behavioral questions, storytelling, visual analysis, professional presence, and mock interview practice.
• Activity: Build a personal interview-story bank, practice the STAR interview method, participate in a mock interview, and complete a visual-analysis exercise.

Week 5:  Designing Your Future and Final Communication Challenge

• Explore possible university and career pathways while identifying personal values, strengths, interests, and next steps.
• Activity: Develop three possible future pathways, create a personal education and career action plan, and deliver a five-minute final presentation.

Materials needed

Please refrain from purchasing materials until you receive final course confirmation from VCUarts Qatar.

Participants should bring:

• Laptop or tablet, preferably with a keyboard
• Notebook or notepad
• Pens and pencils
• Highlighters

Additional classroom materials, worksheets, activity cards, and printed communication frameworks will be provided.

Participants will also receive selected course reading materials, including The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga and Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.

Schedule

Start: Wed, 04 Nov, 2026
End: Wed, 02 Dec, 2026
Lessons: 5
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 5-8pm
Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus
Cost: QAR 950

Instructor

Nourhane Tarroun

Nourhane Tarroun is an Art History alumna of VCUarts Qatar whose experience spans arts education, academic research, writing development, university admissions, and educational programming. Her academic interests include visual culture, cultural heritage, migration, and the histories connecting Qatar with the wider region. Her graduating research project, Karak Routes, explored the history of karak in Qatar through the lens of Indian Ocean trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

Nourhane’s experience in university admissions has given her valuable insight into the application process, particularly what universities look for in personal essays and interviews. As a Lead Peer Research Consultant, she also trained and supported students and professionals in developing stronger research, writing, and communication skills.

She currently works with VCUarts Qatar’s Community and Continuing Education program, supporting the delivery of educational programs and participant learning experiences. She has also facilitated art workshops at Msheireb Museums, further developing her experience in engaging and communicating with young learners.

Bringing together her background in Art History, research, admissions, and education, Nourhane is passionate about helping young creatives strengthen their communication, critical-thinking, visual-analysis, and writing skills while building the confidence to express their ideas with clarity and purpose as they prepare for university and beyond.