Few weeks ago I started teaching the violin to kids - students. It has been OK... depending on the student LOL
I tutored a little girl for the very first time. And I'm not going to lie.. I was so scared of her!! The nerves got to me and this young innocent girl transformed into my worst nightmare, making me nervous and forget simple stuff while I was teaching her. Maybe it's because I have a lack in teaching.. Maybe it's my lack of confidence? I feel like I'm so focused on providing the best lesson possible and am so afraid that if I don't do a good enough job, the parents will kill me in my sleep or something!!!
Any experienced tutors, how do you approach a student that has no knowledge not only in music, but other stuff like studying? How do you overcome these nerves? And how do I make the students feel more comfortable around me during the lesson?
Thanks!
(kids scare me ><)
___________________________________ | | Some random asian
Re: Tutoring students/beating nervousness that comes with it!
^ Typical Korean tutors ( ._.). You think they're all chill and shit, so you start ******* around and not doing homework. Next week, he starts screaming cuz you didn't do anything :3
Re: Tutoring students/beating nervousness that comes with it!
I am guessing you don't have much experience teaching very young children.
Firstly try to use language at their level... that might be a challenge on its own. Then tap on the child's background and prior knowledge.
For example, if the child is under 7 they dun know much about fractions. So teaching about quavers and semiquavers is going to be hard for them. So u need to explain that concept as simply as u can... as rhythms or through pictures.
Also recognise there is a limit how much the child can understand as compared to an older learner.
Young children esp little girls like stickers and stamps/chops. So reward or acknowledge their good efforts/achievements often. Dun overdo it though esp if they did not reach an acceptable standard. My 6 year old student likes star stickers and the princess stamps that I have.
I try to allow/tolerate for mistakes that I would normally be stricter with older pupils but yet not allow for her to build bad habits. So I emphasis on posture and getting the timings, notes right. Each time I sense something is hard for her to understand, I try to rephrase or think of another angle to reach out to her.
Your tone is going to be important. She has to see you as an authority yet someone talking at her level. So she sees u as a teacher (so that u can actually get things done) AND yet not be afraid to talk to u. If u get the balance right, u will see her eager for the next lesson, to learn and to impress you.
My student actually scolded her mum for skipping a lesson because she wanted to show off a new piece she was practising.
And do allow that young kids may like to chatter. Let her share some of her stuff with u without the chatter taking up the whole lesson.
Hope all this helps. If u have more questions, feel free to ask me
Re: Tutoring students/beating nervousness that comes with it!
You may need to select teaching materials suitable for that level of children as well. I went to the music store and got a theory book that is meant for young children.. so it has more puzzles and stickers and stuff that young children likes to do. Explain to the parents that it will get harder as we progress but it's important to get the kids interested to want to learn.
Even the pieces u want her to learn.. mix some familiar pieces she can sing to you, or duets (they love it when play with them). Some early books for piano playing have a simple part for the early beginner and a teacher's accompaniment. I'm not sure about the violin resources out there. If there aren't, u might want to improvise from there.
Well these are some points I can think about :P Dun be afraid to share your love for music with them
Re: Tutoring students/beating nervousness that comes with it!
wow thanks guys for the feedback!
@jayaiwhy lol say it like it is
@Nemesis wow thanks for the tips! Yea I really need to find the right balance between being friendly with the student and actually teaching them stuff! xD
Will take a lot of trial and error, hope I refine my teaching skills quickly!
___________________________________ | | Some random asian
Re: Tutoring students/beating nervousness that comes with it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sRAntelope
^ Typical Korean tutors ( ._.). You think they're all chill and shit, so you start ******* around and not doing homework. Next week, he starts screaming cuz you didn't do anything :3
One of my student didn't bring her homework ever, but as long as she learnt how to do them, I was fine and the parents were too
Re: Tutoring students/beating nervousness that comes with it!
Yea I teach children to swim and its the same as what Nemesis said, keep it simple, one step at a time try not to confuse the students too much but most of all make it fun .
Personally I find younger people pay more attention if they think its more fun then chore, they will want to learn and also will pick it up quickly. Also note though that one style may work for one person but not the next so dont be afriad to change up what you do!
Even the smallest donations help keep sc2sea running! All donations go towards helping our site run including our monthly server hosting fees and sc2sea sponsored community tournaments we host. Find out more here.