Let's Talk About Teaching

The Tutor Podcast

In this episode, Neil shares some key points from a recent conversation he had with one of his bass guitar students. Beyond music, they talk about the impact of traditional teaching methods on students' perception of learning. Neil emphasises the importance of simplifying concepts, using plain language, and empowering students to be curious. He advocates for going off the syllabus, finding material that interests students, and making the learning process fun. Neil's passion for teaching shines through as he encourages educators to create an enjoyable and engaging environment for their students.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Simplify everything: As teachers, it is important to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that is easy for students to understand. By using plain and simple language, we can make learning more accessible and enjoyable for our students.
• Empower curiosity: Encourage students to ask questions and be curious about the subject matter. Answering their questions and sparking their imagination can lead to deeper understanding and engagement with the material.
• Go off the syllabus: Instead of strictly adhering to a syllabus, ask students what they want to learn and find music or material that interests them. This helps to personalise the learning experience and make it more enjoyable for the student.
• Make it fun: Learning should be a playful process. Teachers should strive to make their lessons enjoyable and engaging for both themselves and their students. By creating a fun and positive learning environment, students will be more motivated to continue learning.
• Avoid using fancy language: Cut out the use of unnecessary jargon and fancy words that can create a barrier between the student and the material. Using plain and simple language helps to make the subject more accessible and relatable to the student.

BEST MOMENTS

"She's a very smart lady... She's funny, energetic, vivacious, million questions and just a bundle of energy."

"Most of her old thinking about music and about herself as a player have been absolutely destroyed... she realises music is much simpler and much easier than she thought."

"She told me that because I break things down and explain why we do something as musicians, she can make sense of it and she can accept it."

"She likes it when I use simple words to explain something... she thinks it's because they're trying to mask something simple behind a wall of fancy words."

"We should be making it fun for our students... if it's not fun for them they won't want to come back and if it's not fun for you to teach every single day is going to be miserable for you."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.Neilcowmeadow.com

[e-mail]

HOST BIO

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!