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How to keep students onboard while waiting for lockdown to end? (All Teachers)
A teacher was interested in seeking advice on the following situation, for which I think we can all relate at the moment – I thought I would repost it here to get your thoughts and advice on, so I can share a response from many different teachers in the community. The teacher shared with me the following, which I will share anonymously:
I feel like it is so hard to keep students at the moment because of the pandemic, I am always asking for feedback and they love the lessons but are unable or unwilling to try online. Do you have any suggestions on how to try keep students on board with ever changing rules? It is an extremely stressful and uncertain time at the moment, are other teachers experiencing this?
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2 Replies
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They will understand that you only offer the very best of tuition.Lockdown is preventing,not you. Meanwhile all tracks and sheet music is available at no cost. Just keep in touch and most will return .You will not take money for a service less than excellent.Hope this helps x
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I agree it’s tricky trying to keep students during the lockdown. Some have altogether stopped playing an instrument, while others hope to return… perhaps in the middle of the year. I try to send a message to all students (even those who stopped lessons during the March 2020 lockdown). I sent a new year message and a Christmas one. Some replied. Others didn’t. For the few I still have left, I give a discount every 12 lessons for the student who has made the best progress. I sometimes deduct the fee or buy a gift voucher either from Amazon or a music shop online, or buy a gift. It motivates them.
I make sure that throughout the academic year, each student gets at gift/discount at least once. It could be a simple gift like a ruler with music notes on it. It keeps adults and children motivated…For the children, they draw a sticker in their notebooks and I keep count in mine. Every so often, I also send students a recording of myself playing my favourites. They love to know I’m practicing as well!
Overall, my numbers are really low because people want to have face to face lessons, which I cannot offer until I get my vaccination (which is not too far now).It’s been a tough year, I believe, for all of us. I’m really glad we have music to keep us going!