At a historic meeting in London on 15 November last year, the European String Teachers Association (ESTA) and the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) agreed to share expertise in developing a variety of accredited teacher courses. These instrument-specific professional development opportunities will range from foundation to master's level and be designed to fit around a busy teaching life.
It is most fitting that these two organisations are going to work together. First ESTA, and then EPTA were set up in the 1970s to promote the highest standards of teaching around the UK and Europe; they have worked alongside each other for 40 years. ESTA already runs a postgraduate course for string teachers with Chichester University.
It was developed by Richard Crozier and is now in its’ second year – MT covered it in the October 2018 issue. This is a course for teachers with an undergraduate degree (usually in music), Grade 8 or equivalent experience, a portfolio of teaching experience, and evidence of current teaching practice.
Piano teachers looked on enviously as the first string students gained their certificates in an award ceremony last summer. However, the November meeting's agreement will extend the PG Cert to piano teachers and enable them to begin studying for the same qualification from August of this year. The course is designed to fit alongside teachers’ other commitments. It will enable them to be more reflective practitioners and encourage them to take a fresh look at their work, no matter what the context. It offers a yearlong structured programme beginning with a summer residential study week and benefits from a panel of highly experienced teachers as subject-specific mentors who will work through a blend of face-to-face and online learning. Participants will:
- Develop practical skills in teaching musical and technical material
- Foster an investigative and inquisitive approach to teaching by developing skills in both research and reflection
- Actively develop communication skills to enable effective teaching
- Develop skills in curriculum planning that are highly relevant in the profession.
The end result will be a level 7 qualification: a unique certification for the teaching profession. Successful completion represents one third of a master's degree.
This is a logical step for EPTA which, through its EPTA Education arm, has recently set up other exciting professional development initiatives (more details at epta-uk.org). Its partnership with ABRSM is currently delivering support for teachers preparing for their DipABRSM teaching qualification, as well as offering CPD days for pianists and teachers at all stages of their careers. It is also launching its own new teaching diploma in 2019 named Cert.EPTA. It will have an open access remit as an expression of EPTA UK chair Murray McLachlan's belief that EPTA should support all piano teachers regardless of their current level.
‘We are delighted to be working with ESTA on these professional development courses,’ says McLachlan. ‘Their ability to develop accredited qualifications is a real inspiration for us and we are very happy to promote them to our members.’
EPTA now has a suite of qualifications and professional development days that will support all piano teachers. This includes new entrants to the profession; those who wish to refresh their knowledge; graduates who have decided to focus on instrumental teaching; and those who would like to study for a specific qualification. Instrumental teaching is by and large unregulated, however, these qualifications will ensure that the piano and string teachers who successfully complete these courses will stand out as excellent. Through forming this expert partnership, ESTA and EPTA have shown a continued commitment to helping their members build the skills and confidence that they need to improve their teaching.
John Shayler, chair of ESTA, says: ‘We are delighted to be working so closely with our sister organisation EPTA. The two organisations have a similar history and have worked alongside each other for 40 years. This new cooperation marks a considerable development in our relationship and will lead to more initiatives in the future.’
Many string and piano teachers, especially peripatetic teachers in primary schools, teach both families of instruments. Fortunately for them, in this new spirit of cooperation, ESTA and EPTA have agreed to offer membership of the opposite organisation for a considerably reduced price of only £20.
More details about the ESTA postgraduate course can be found at estaeducation.co.uk
