Evaluation of session 1 of Moving Forward with confidence

'Moving Forward with Confidence' is a short course by Patricia Cleghorn designed to help students to build their self-esteem. I am evaluating short courses in self-esteem run alongside Full time courses for my MA in Education. I hope to write about the results for my 20'000 word dissertation. It's an important issue as I have seen many students qualify as hairdressers and then not practise as they are too nervous.

Before going into FE in 2006. I worked for 5 years as a workplace assessor. I was responsible for running training sessions with students for different companies from six hairdressing salons. These students all worked in the salon during the week and trained with me once a week. During that 5 years I had 6 students who qualified as hairdressers and then quit to go into jobs in retail as their nerves got the better of them.

I often wonder how many do the same thing after training full time at the college. Surely they must be even more nervous when they have not worked in a real salon...

Today was session one of the self-esteem course and it went quite well. I arrived to find the classroom locked which was a bit of a hassle as I had to call security to open the door, but luckily I was early so it didn't really disrupt things too much. The students where a little opposed to the idea, but warmed to the idea of self-esteem training once I explained the benefits. I followed the instruction written by Patricia and played her CD.
Last year I received training on teaching this course and I must say today was relatively easy and straight forward. I avoided asking the students to speak about their levels of self-esteem as I was worried it maybe difficult for them. Instead I asked them to write comments anonymously on post it notes. Their comments were quite good, they ranged from "relaxing techniques were useful" to "helps to relax and boast myself"

As a regular Buddhist Meditator, an NLP practitioner and a self proclaimed Self-help guru, I have no problem closing my eyes and listening to a self-esteem boasting CD with relaxation techniques and calming music, but even I found it a little uncomfortable with the class.

It was difficult to close my eyes and 'meditate' on a hard classroom seat, with a giggly class, noises from the corridor, bright strip lights overhead and the sound of the toilets flushing next door. This could possibly be improved with an alternative room in a more peaceful location, perhaps with candles even better a room with a dimmer switch. I would bring some candles in, but I fear that it may set the fire alarm off or violate health and safety rules. The classroom doesn't have any windows otherwise it may have been possible to open a window and light a candle. I did think I could bring a lamp in from home.