New Directions - Alexander Technique

NEW DIRECTIONS

 

Alexander Technique

-  a fresh approach to Teacher Training

Course registered with the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique and the DfES

(see also FOUNDATION COURSE details)

 

 

“…all training….. …must be based upon the indivisible unity of the human organism.”    F.M. Alexander, “The Use of the Self”

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This Training Course gives equal emphasis to the 3 main requirements necessary for a comprehensive teacher training.

 

1)                  the ‘technical’ aspect of the work

2)                  the ‘mental’ aspect of the work

3)                  the pedagogical aspect of the work

 

the ‘technical’ aspect of the work
this is the ability to use the hands creatively and non-invasively

 

the ‘mental’ aspect of the work
this includes not only the understanding of the concepts and ability to explain them clearly both verbally and in writing, but also an appreciation of the psychological and emotional impact of increasing involvement in this work

 

the pedagogical aspect of the work
encourages students to explore and expand their communication skills so they can  creatively teach their future pupils a) to understand the ideas upon which the Technique is based and b) to teach them how to bring these ideas consciously and actively into their daily lives.

 

The Course itself has been devised as a progression of the students’ ability to work on themselves via an increasing understanding of approximately twenty procedures of the Alexander Technique and other activities.  The procedures to be worked on have been developed as a sequence and allocated to a termly programme. When the student has reached a deeper understanding of the procedures and the concepts underlying them, they will start to put hands on fellow students under supervision.

 

However, as it is recognised that not all  students are starting from the same place, and as it is often difficult for students to monitor their own progress on “non practical” courses,  a plan of continuous assessment has been drawn up which will enable the staff to help each student monitor their progress along the route of the course. 

 

   

As the New Directions training course is planned to prepare students as fully as possible for a career as a teacher of the Alexander Technique, when students qualify they will have:

 

Ø  an understanding of the concepts and principles of the Alexander Technique gained through studying and discussing Alexander’s 4 books, and other books and videos on the subject

Ø  the opportunity to deepen and develop the work on themselves

Ø  the opportunity to learn and refine their hands-on skills

Ø  a knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology

Ø  awareness of the possibility of psychological and emotional changes both in themselves and in their future pupils

Ø  practical experience of how the principles and practice of the Alexander Technique can be applied to other activities

Ø  an appreciation of the teaching/learning process itself

Ø  teaching practice of a course of twenty lessons to a pupil who has had no previous lessons

Ø  practice of small group work

Ø  their own publicity material already prepared

Ø  information on professionalism and setting up a practice

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The New Directions course is recognised by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT)  and fulfils more than the minimum requirements of STAT in terms of hours of study and course content.

 

STAT recognised courses require students on the Training Course to become student members of STAT and pay the relevant fees.  These fees are in addition to the Training Course fees and cover Registration, Moderation, STAT publications and insurance in the final term.

 

Each year of the three year Course is divided into 3 terms of approximately 12 weeks. Students can be accepted onto the Course at the beginning of each term; thus the training can commence in January, April or September.

 

The Course takes place from  09.00 – 12.45 pm  Monday to Thursday . There may be occasional variations to this which will be timetabled in advance.

 

To give students the opportunity to practise the Technique in different situations (e.g., dancing, tai’chi, Pilates exercise, riding etc) experts from other activities will be invited to visit the Course.

 

Termly written work forms part of the Course.  Prior to qualification students will prepare their own publicity material for their future practice, in the form of a brochure or a website.

 

STAT approved courses are  subject to visits by a STAT Moderator.

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

-  Foundation Year

The main emphasis of the first three terms is Work on the Self. Students develop the work that they have done in their private lessons prior to commencing the training, and if they are considered ready to do so, begin hands on work on their fellow students under supervision.  However, students enrolling for the Foundation Year only will not be able to do hands on work.

 

-  Second Year

While Work on the Self continues as a basis for this year’s work, the emphasis of terms four to six is on students developing their hands-on sensitivity and developing a deeper understanding of the relevance of different “classical” Alexander procedures.  Students will also be encouraged to experiment,  connect and apply what they are learning with other life activities.

 

-  Third Year

While hands-on skills continue to develop, students are actively encouraged to develop the teaching and communication aspects of the Alexander Technique, for both individual pupils and in Group work. To this end, students in their seventh and eighth term are expected to develop their communication skills and are encouraged to work with visiting pupils to whom they will explain the concepts of the Technique.

 

Students are involved in Group Work during this year: they will lead groups of fellow students during Course time and may assist on Courses for Beginners organised by the Training Course outside normal Course time.

 

The final term is the term of Teaching Practice when students have at least one private pupil to whom they give 20 lessons during Course time under supervision and guidance.  Students will keep a lesson by lesson account of these sessions.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

While no formal qualifications are required, it is expected that all students will have had a minimum of 25 private lessons prior to training.

 

Entry to the Course will be subject to interview by the Director – this may include some hands on work.  In the case of students from outside England, the interview may be waived on receipt of a fully detailed CV, letter of application including reasons for wishing to undertake the training and name and address of an Alexander Teacher to whom reference can be made. 

 

GRANTING OF QUALIFICATION

Qualification will be granted on the basis of continuous assessment by the Director and other staff.

 

Prior to qualification however, students will need to have satisfactorily completed the written and practical work requirements of the Course, and to have a  satisfactory level of attendance throughout the three-year Course. Students not considered ready to qualify within the allotted period may be given the opportunity to extend the duration of their studies, (if appropriate at a pro rata fee). Should this be considered necessary as much notice as possible will be given.

 

Those who successfully complete the 3-year training course will receive their certificate of qualification from the Course and will be authorised to teach the Alexander Technique and proposed as teaching members of STAT.   

 

FEES & DEPOSIT

Fees are due termly in advance.  A deposit of 20% of one term’s fees is required.  This is deducted from the third term’s fees for Foundation Course students, or from the ninth term’s fees for the student who does the full 3-year training course.  Should the course close for any reason beyond New Directions’ control the deposit will be returned in full.  Fees do not include travel and expenses of possible visits to other courses, written material, and the student fee to STAT which covers Registration and Certification.

 

For 2008/9 the fees remain at £1300 per term  (£3900 pa)

While every effort will be made to keep the fees stable, the Course fee is reviewed annually in January and the Director reserves the right to raise it if necessary.

 

  2008/9 TERM DATES

 

Autumn Term: 2008 

15 September –23 October   ( Half term break)

  3 November – 11 December

                                  

Spring Term:2009 

 5 January – 12 February        ( Half term break)

 23 February – 2 April 

                            

Summer Term: 2009           

20 April – 21 May                 ( Half Term break)

  1 June  – 16 July

                          

VENUE

Ellishaye Studio, off  Dunkerswell Road, Coombe Raleigh, Honiton, EX14 4UQ.

 

The Ellishaye Studio is 2 miles from Honiton and very close to the A30 exit to Honiton. Situated in a 16th century listed building, from which are beautiful views over the Devon countryside, our facilities include use of the ballroom  and ample parking. 

THE COURSE DIRECTOR

The Director of the Course is Fran Robinson B.A. M.S.T.A.T.  She qualified with Peter Scott (himself trained by F.M. Alexander) in London in 1975.  She ran a busy private practice in London for many  years and has taught on training courses in England, Israel, Canada Hungary and Switzerland.  In addition to being the Director of the Training Course she has a private practice in Marshwood, Dorset.  She founded and directed the Italian Centre for the Alexander Technique, and between 1988 and 1993 trained 15 Alexander teachers in Italy.  She is also a qualified Pilates teacher and Life Coach. 

 

OTHER COURSE TEACHERS:

Jenny Sampson  M.S.T.A.T. Assistant Director, qualified with Dick and Elizabeth Walker (both of whom were trained with F.M. Alexander) in Oxford in 1993.  She runs a busy practice in Dulverton and is experienced in group work and work with riders.

Helen Gibson West  M.S.T.A.T. qualified with Alexander Teaching Associates, and is also a qualified Physiotherapist.  She teachers the Anatomy and Physiology component on the trainig course.  She runs a teaching prctice in Sidmouth, Devon and also runs group courses for beginners. 

Other qualified teachers visit the Training Course from time to time and we welcome visits by prospective students and also pupils who are having private lessons. 

The overall direction of the training course will be by Fran Robinson.

 

For further information and application form, please contact Fran Robinson at:

Hill Farm House, Lamberts Castle, Marshwood,

 Dorset DT6 5QJ  01297 678168

e: info@fran-robinson.co.uk         www.fran-robinson.co.uk

updated 30.6.2008