1.
Learn every client's name,
even
if its long, foreign or hard to pronounce. Everyone loves
the sound of their own name. Never make fun of it.
2. Phone
the student, if you arrive late for the lesson.
Have a good reason if you need to cancel. Their
time is important too.
3. Affirm
your student.
Balance correcting mistakes with praise for something
well done. Encouragement builds confidence!
4.
Don’t overrule a person's
fears.
If
a first lesson learner is afraid of driving on a main road, or in
peak traffic at first, respect their concern. Stay in the back
streets until they feel confident.
5. Don't
express disappointment or make fun
of a student's lack of progress. They may be slow in learning to
drive, but very successful in a other areas of life: Perhaps sport,
as a member of the National Under 18 football team or a high achiever at University,
a professor at age 19?
6. Record a
student’s progress and other data.
Asking a pupil at the beginning: "What did I teach you
last week?" is not very professional. To wish a student
happy birthday, because you recognized that special day, is a nice
touch. Reminding them that their learner's permit soon needs
renewing, makes you sound like a pro.
7.
Recognize little victories.
Give praise for an achievement, a difficult task finally
mastered. Instructors easily fall into the trap of focusing
solely on correcting every mistake, even though this is essentially our job.
8. A little
chat relaxes.
Stick to
safe subjects, sport, cooking, school work, holidays. Talk about
their interests. Try to be natural. Caution! Social talk should
not dominate or replace solid teaching.
