Finding the Language of your Student

Weekly Teaching Tip by Dominika Plonka
August 3, 2015
Through years of teaching I noticed that I am using different language during lessons, depending on skills of my students.

I love to work with dancers and actors – their skills help them to achieve some new knowledge very quickly. Dancers have good muscle conscience. That’s why when I am giving lesson to a dancer I often use very “technical” language, referring to the work of their muscles. They get it easily and make a quick progress.

In opposite, while working with an actor I prefer to use emotions and characteristic sounds to get she specific sound what is needed to improve some new places in his voice (see also nice Sissy’s weekly tip about voices of characters from Disney cartoons).

Of course while teaching children I use many animals sounds (during the last conference Teri Stock presented her ideas about teaching children). But: Teaching a new student or a young person with no experience – I usually use only basics, straight “mix” language to not to confuse my student.

While working with a mix singing teacher I make sure that he/she understands why I have chosen this kind of exercise and how it can be used with his/her students. Answering teacher’s questions regarding to some student’s problem I often take them through the exercise that he/she should do with the student.

One more notice, young teachers, please remember: your students unconsciously repeat your tendencies. So if you have something in your voice that you should work on, probably some of your students will have the same problem to fix.

So, in summary, it’s important to start lesson from a quick conversation and listen not only to the sound of the speaking voice of your student, but also to learn what skills and interests does she/he have – it helps us to do better choices in planning the lesson.
Dominika Plonka