Use of Students to Teach Interviewing Skills

This study evaluated the immediate and sustained impact that serving as trainers of entry level students had on advanced students' use of interpersonal helping skills with clients. The effect on the use of skills by entry level students who participated in a modified microtraining program in which advanced students served as trainers was also assessed. Interviews with students were audiotaped prior to, immediately after, and 14 weeks following training, and rated by trained independent judges in terms of behavioral criteria derived from Danish et al. (1974). Students also completed the Discrimination Index. The findings reveal that the training experience facilitated advanced students' use of attending skills while not interfering with their acquisition of influencing and self disclosure skills. The training program also significantly modified entry level students' use of interpersonal skills. The results suggest that advanced students can serve effectively as skill trainers and simultaneously enhance their own professional development.