I have just returned from a 12 day visit to China (Shanghai) where along with 5 other FA colleagues I delivered on the FA International Foundation Coaching Award.
We had 3 classes split to accommodate 72 teachers: some new to teaching at the primary age group, & some at the secondary age with 25 years teaching experience.
The teachers spoke very little (or no) English.
Each group were assigned 2 interpreters.
In essence, the award contains relevant content from 2 or 3 FA courses.
Scene set: the experience for all was enjoyable, challenging yet, rewarding.
However, the stark reality was my coaching toolbox-tutor toolbox was raided, reviewed, changed, upgraded & utilised frequently.
Example: explaining the practice spectrum from FAY Award Module 2 to twenty four Chinese speaking teachers. Delivering Space Recognition practically to the same group?
Good as the interpreters were, things don't always translate such as the STEP principle or, directly, intrinsic motivation in terminology. So we had to utilise in a major degree: VISUAL learning, DEMONSTRATION, REFLECTIVE practice to gauge their understanding.
'Kinaesthetic means to learn, visual means to reflect'.
Many power points were replaced with group work, flip charts and giving the candidates ownership can you juggle? Then teach three others? Learning in practice; the why & how.
However, in the main & culturally, these candidates (teachers) teach in the auditory spectrum. Tell, listen, collate. So a learning cycle for all including tutors: connect-activate-demonstrate-consolidate.
Group discussion & decision making, opinion, learning by mistakes were are all relatively new concepts. Big hits over the course were: white boards, visual set ups, flip chart reflection, IMovies from each day, group ownership, group discussions.
So, The message? Do not take this for granted! The power of delivering in all styles was starkly evident and this was to teachers! If you Mentor or Coach Educate, or buddy coach? Remember, we all learn in different ways, & at differing speeds 'it's not just the players that are people' your teaching is always and should always be about 'them' and your challenge is to facilitate this..
