How can you develop a teaching philosophy for vocal coaches?
As a vocal coach, you have the opportunity to share your passion, knowledge, and experience with aspiring singers. But how do you communicate your values, goals, and methods to your students and colleagues? How do you develop a teaching philosophy that reflects your identity, vision, and approach as a vocal coach? In this article, we will explore some steps and tips to help you craft your own teaching philosophy statement.
A teaching philosophy is a personal document that summarizes your beliefs, principles, and practices as a teacher. It explains why you teach, what you teach, how you teach, and how you evaluate your teaching. A teaching philosophy can help you clarify your goals, align your actions with your values, and communicate your expectations and standards to your students and peers.
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Manosh Chowdhury
Professor at Jahangirnagar University, Polemicist, Editor, Creative Writer
(edited)First, we need to broaden the scope of vocal coaching and go beyond the musical field. If it is about music only, I of course am not the person to talk about. Vocal coaching should include the ways 'students' should be guided not only in using their vocal organs but also in vocabulary with specific 'theatrics'/intents they (tend to) utter them. Talking about philosophy, I consider the most important part is to unlearn the bias of the 'standardization' of pronunciation (in any language I would urge). Vocal training gets jumbled if a trainee focuses on 'standard' (read 'polished' or 'upper class') pronunciation when s/he needs to concentrate on the pitch and connotational expressions (theatrics of speech, you may say).
A teaching philosophy can benefit you in many ways as a vocal coach. First, it can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement as a teacher. By reflecting on your teaching experiences, you can learn from your successes and failures, and develop strategies to enhance your effectiveness and efficiency. Second, it can help you articulate your unique voice and perspective as a vocal coach. By expressing your passion, vision, and style, you can distinguish yourself from other teachers and attract students who resonate with your approach. Third, it can help you demonstrate your professionalism and credibility as a vocal coach. By showing your commitment, knowledge, and skills, you can impress potential employers, clients, and collaborators, and increase your opportunities and reputation in the field.
When writing a teaching philosophy, there are some general guidelines and steps that can help you structure and draft your statement. Start with brainstorming to consider your motivations, inspirations, and influences as a vocal coach. Define your goals and objectives, such as the learning outcomes or competencies you want your students to develop. Describe your methods and strategies, including the tools, techniques, or resources you use in lessons. Also provide examples and evidence to illustrate your teaching philosophy. Finally, revise and edit your statement to ensure the structure, style, and tone are logical, concise, professional, respectful, and appropriate.
A teaching philosophy can vary in length depending on your context and purpose. Generally, a teaching philosophy should be between one and four pages, or around 300 to 1200 words. However, you may need to adjust your length according to the specific requirements or expectations of your situation. For example, if you are applying for a job, a grant, or a certification, you may need to follow the guidelines or criteria of the application. If you are creating a portfolio, a website, or a blog, you may need to consider the format and design of your platform. In any case, you should aim to be concise, relevant, and focused on your main points and examples.
A teaching philosophy is not a static or fixed document, but a dynamic and evolving one. As a vocal coach, it is important to regularly update your teaching philosophy to reflect your growth, development, and changes as a teacher. You can do this by seeking feedback from students, colleagues, mentors, or peers on your teaching philosophy. Additionally, reviewing your experiences and researching new trends in the field of vocal coaching can help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher, as well as uncover new tools and techniques that you can use or learn from. Ultimately, by updating your teaching philosophy you can demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning, continuous improvement, and professional excellence as a vocal coach.
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