Advice on teaching cello please Options

[jml376]

Hello everyone- I'm aware this is very similar to the poster looking for advice on teaching piano, but this is just a coincidence, honestly!
I've always lurked on the forums, but this is my first post. My background is this: I gave up cello while preparing for Grade 6, when I left school. Two years ago I picked it up again. I absolutely love it, it's become so important to me, and having since passed Grade 6 and hoping to do Grade 7 in the winter, I had decided to do G8 and then the teaching diploma (all in good time- and I hadn't mentioned it to anyone).
During my last lesson, my teacher (who is a wonderful lady with over 40 years' professional and teaching experience) told me that she thought I'd make a good teacher and I should start putting feelers out for a pupil or two. My problem is that I have no actual musical qualification as such (apart from G6 practical and G5 theory, of course). I'm studying for my BA Humanities with Music (my first degree is in English), but without a teaching diploma, will parents want me teaching their child? Also, how does one go about advertising effectively? I also play in a local orchestra- do you think this would be a helpful thing to state on any advert?
I haven't told anyone what my teacher suggested- I know my husband would be all for it, and I would love some objective advice before I make a decision. I would only want to teach beginner children, at least for a few years till I get my diploma. Do you think this is feasible?
Thanks in advance

[HelenVJ]

Why do people say 'only ' teaching beginners? ! This is the hardest skill, not the easiest! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[Minstrel]

No reason why you shouldn't start slowly with a few pupils and with your own teacher's full support, backup and mentoring. Everyone has to start somewhere - being fresh out of college, wired up to the latest thinking in education theory does not necessarily make anyone a better teacher than someone who has taken 'the long way round' and who is going into teaching with a much broader background.

It sounds to me as if you are already thinking about this very sensibly. Would your teacher let you sit in on some lessons he/she is teaching to give you another insight? Learning to teach an instrument can be done very effictively by informal apprenticeship from a good, trusted teacher, especially if you also take the time to read round the subject.

Very best of luck, M

[Cyrilla]

Why do people say 'only ' teaching beginners? ! This is the hardest skill, not the easiest! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[dotted quaver]

Your teacher knows your ability and wouldn't suggest teaching if she didn't think you were capable! I'm sure she'll help and guide you in the early stages and she may send some students.

Go for it! Good luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jml376]

Thanks dottedquaver and Minstrel for the positivity and the advice. My teacher has suggested that we start looking at teaching methods and beginners' repertoire as part of our lessons, so I guess I am being 'mentored'- I hadn't thought of it like that! I will definitely ask her if I can sit in on some of her lessons; that's a really helpful suggestion, thank you. I'm starting to feel like I could actually do this- I might even pluck up the courage to start putting those feelers out next week!