Half of the RNCM term has passed, and I am learning to combine everything I have learnt from my previous teaching experience with new ideas to ensure that I become a more well-rounded teacher.
The new teaching methods I have been exposed to – such as the practical use of Dalcroze Eurhythmics and the Kodaly method of teaching singing - will definitely be incorporated as part of my repertoire of teaching techniques when I return to Hong Kong. Sometimes during class, when a memory of how I have taught a particular student comes to mind, I realise how I could have used more efficient ways to help them cope with any issues they were experiencing.
During the weekend, I usually take a day off to explore neighboring cities and countryside with my college friends. Two of the most memorable cities I have visited are York and Bath, which are both over 2,000 years old and have a rich Roman heritage. Standing in the middle of these cities surrounded by historical architecture, one wishes one was able to travel back in time to experience them in their heyday.
Last Saturday I joined a few friends at the college to visit the famous Lake District, which is a two hour journey from Manchester. We experienced the breathtaking scenery of Lake Windermere and enjoyed a short boat cruise on the lake.
On another weekend, I hiked the Monsal Trail, which follows the path of a disused railway line between Buxton and Bakewell in the Peak District. National parks here look quite similar to the country parks in Hong Kong but are vastly more spacious and full of trees and shrubs normally not found in South East Asia. Looking at the swathes of yellow and green, I recalled a quote from a famous pianist, who said that music contains as many colours as there are in nature. When I experience the colours with my own eyes, I realise how true this is.
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Chun-pong
