Evaluation of session 4 of Moving Forward with confidence

Today's class discussed personal success, as usual we listened to the relaxing voice of Patricia Clegghorn and carried out the relaxation activity. We listened to how students can give themselves an inner boast. Afterwards we discussed this and explored other ways that students can boast themselves, I got them to each list one quality that they possess, to help them to build 'an inner CV' they included;

• I am unique
• I am confident
• I am in control
• I am patient
• I have lots to offer
• I am prepared

It was really good as it gave students a chance to recognise their own unique qualities... its very easy for us to just look at negativity in our lives; I think this helps students to break away from that.

When I studied the Educational focused NLP practitioner course, we looked at ways that we can boast students self-belief to encourage a positive atmosphere for classes. I have always found that this keeps students focused and makes learning enjoyable. Many teachers prefer to use the 'old school' approach... chalk and talk... which some consider a dictatorship style. I prefer to be a bit more 'new age', last year following the NLP course I worked hard to keep a relaxing environment which I felt was more conducive for learning and I have really found that it works. Students seem to be less inclined to mess about when there is a good rapport between staff and students. Of course there will always be a line, which you cannot cross. However pep talks and boasting the class, by keeping feedback very positive really helps. I recently started working with a really difficult class who were extremely dysfunctional as a result of timetable problems. It may sound a little bit arrogant but I feel I was able to bring them together just by pepping them up. Saying to them 'you have a really nice group'... 'lots of talented people'... 'you work really well together' and it has worked. Just recognising that and tell them that has really helped to turn things around and as a result they really have been working well together and really have been a lots nicer, even the most difficult learners in the class seem to have softened.

The class that I am experimenting with the self-esteem course are quite a contrast to the class I have just described. The students I am using in the experiment have been my tutor group for the last 2 years. They are an amazing class and work in a relaxed but productive way. I wonder how the other group would cope with this self-esteem course... would it improve them or would they fail to relax and become disruptive again? Would be interesting to see.

Evaluation of session 3 of Moving Forward with confidence

Today most students where on time and a lot more settled. The CDs spoke about confidence and boasting ones confidence with simple messages such as;

• I feel good about myself
• As I relax, I feel more at ease with my emotions
• I am in control of what I do, however I'm feeling
• I now stop blaming myself and others
• I speak clearly with compassion
• I now choose to feel peaceful

We listed examples on the board and the class seemed to respond very well. It wasn't quite as awkward today and I felt that the students where getting more used to the short course in self-esteem. One student actually gave some really positive feedback to the class and I couldn't help feeling that we had reached a turning point. She said she found Patricia Cleghorn (the author) voice really relaxing and would like to read one of her books.

For me I felt a little critical of the above boasters as I felt they were simple NLP and revealed nothing new... however I think the response from the students proved that I was wrong. They responded well and it just goes to show that sometimes just listening to some relaxing music with a calming voice giving you boasters really can make you feel better.

Evaluation of session 2 of Moving Forward with confidence

This week we were able to start session 2 of the self-esteem course on time, however due to the snow many were late in which caused a bit of disruption. The way this week's session was planned, we listened to 'calm cues' a relaxation activity first. Maybe not the best idea as the class had their eye closed and tried to relax other students kept bursting through the door with a loud 'Hello' ...one student even started to explain to the class her reason for being late. I smiled at her and tried my best to politely signal for her to be quiet. Whilst I asked students to close their eyes I said that they didn't have to as long as they respected others who did and kept quiet.

Today the exercise was about concentration. After listening to the track we discussed self-approval and concentration which worked much better. At the end of the session to help evaluate the students' understanding I gave them all a post-it note again and asked them to write down one positive thought about themselves. Which was nice really as many of them are busy Mothers and Wives and probably don't get much opportunity to celebrate their best qualities. I was careful to respect privacy for this exercise and again carefully collected the post-it notes without looking at what they had written. The good qualities ranged from being a good mum to qualities such as being happy, respectful and honest. No one listed their hairdressing skills so I was happy and felt that they had understood the task. The students left looking positive and probably glad to have given themselves an internal pat on the back.