Every student has different expectations from a class/tutor. Some are truly dedicated like the Japanese students but some come for a day out whilst others want to run before they can walk. Others may ask "why doesn't mine look like yours" but don't touch their lace at home, from one lesson to another! A tutor can only show/teach a student how to work a particular type of lace but she cannot practise for her! It is only practise that leads to perfection and 'Rome was not built in a day'! One student may be a perfectionist whilst another is not bothered about a small mistake but simply wants to gain as much knowledge as she can whilst on the course but will make a mental or written note of the error, so as not to make the same mistake again.
A tutor has to be aware every student's needs and believe me, they are all different and we do our best to 'please all of the students all of the time' and to remember that they are adults and have paid good money to attend the course. They do not expect to be reprimanded or slapped on the wrist like a naughty child or humiliated! A tutor soon recognises the individual needs of each student and has to adjust her method of transferring knowledge to suit each individual. I used to teach bobbin lace several decades ago but now only teach needlelace and sometimes the odd student has extreme difficulty in mastering the formation of Gros Point diamonds. They can see it quite clearly when I am demonstrating on their work and counting the stitches verbally for them but of course they are learning 'parrot fashion' and not thinking for themselves. Consequently, when I move on to the next student, they have problems. When this happens, I work the students sample for her, but ask her to tell me what to do; this makes her use her brain and think for herself. If she gives me incorrect information, I questions it and ask if she is sure? This makes her think again and Hey Presto - she's got it! Catherine Barley UK - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
