Advice on Teaching piano in English

[richteralan]

Hi Everyone,

I am a piano performer and teacher in the USA for 10 years and hold a Masters Degree of piano performance and pedagogy, but recently returned to Hong Kong for a while.

It seems not easy to recruit English speaking students? Is it true that I have to limit my search to Central/Discovery Bay area? Is there any other places or even music stores that can help?

Thanks very much.

Alan

[kimwy66]

Loads of students to be found all over Hong Kong - probably far more outside of Central / Discovery Bay. We have an english-speaking music teacher in New territories - who we found on here before we even arrived in HK. Expats would certainly be a good place to start for students, but I notice a lot of local children seem keen to learn in English also. Classifieds on the Expat forums maybe?

[richteralan]

Thank you.

I'll try the expat classifieds.

[kimwy66]

Just another thought, our ESF school runs a fortnightly email newsletter, and it has advertising for after school lessons. Maybe go through the ESF schools websites and other international schools see if they do the same.

[richteralan]

Just another thought, our ESF school runs a fortnightly email newsletter, and it has advertising for after school lessons. Maybe go through the ESF schools websites and other international schools see if they do the same.

Great idea. Thank you very much!

Am looking at the ESF website now.

[araucaria]

'Tutoring' is popular and much sought after work among the legions of university students here, who are most accommodating and flexible when it comes to venues, times etc, besides accepting what would appear to a westerner to be derisory payment. Many of them are also highly proficient in English if they have come through ESF or international schools etc.

Getting work at levels under Grade 8 would then I think be challenging - you might need to aim at performance level students, for whom there would be less competition (I guess!)

What is your first language, if not Cantonese?

[richteralan]

'Tutoring' is popular and much sought after work among the legions of university students here, who are most accommodating and flexible when it comes to venues, times etc, besides accepting what would appear to a westerner to be derisory payment. Many of them are also highly proficient in English if they have come through ESF or international schools etc.

Getting work at levels under Grade 8 would then I think be challenging - you might need to aim at performance level students, for whom there would be less competition (I guess!)

What is your first language, if not Cantonese?

Yes. But I think higher level students are rare and often bonded with a specific teacher, as usually the case even in the States.
I taught a lot of young kids, beginners till intermediate levels, seldom advanced levels.
But I do agree with you that I have to cater to those higher level students. Have to aim high.

And yes, Cantonese is my first language. But in the past 10 years I spent maybe a total of 24 hours talking in Cantonese. The region I was teaching/staying are mostly Americans, with no Asians.

[HKfornow]

We have an English speaking teacher for my son's Piano lessons (granted it is not the teacher's first language, but he does ok with my son), we live in Pokfulam area. I don't know what most parents look for, I've heard they want minimum Grade 8 level to teach, and of course lots of certificates, but I wanted someone who can relate to my child and keep him engaged and interested in the music. . . but I could be in the minority here. Good luck with your search!

[ufo20022008]

Yes. But I think higher level students are rare and often bonded with a specific teacher, as usually the case even in the States.
I taught a lot of young kids, beginners till intermediate levels, seldom advanced levels.
But I do agree with you that I have to cater to those higher level students. Have to aim high.

And yes, Cantonese is my first language. But in the past 10 years I spent maybe a total of 24 hours talking in Cantonese. The region I was teaching/staying are mostly Americans, with no Asians.

Some Cantonese is useful for teaching piano in HK but when students sit for exams (ABRSM) English is be used so I don't think you will have much trouble being mainly an English speaker. Of course Cantonese will come in handy if the parents are predominately locals.

It might be a good idea to get to know the ABRSM syllabus (the preferred syllabus in HK). Local parents are exams driven. At least you will be ready if they ask you exam related questions.

You might also consider offering theory lessons along with piano lessons. Again it might be a good idea to get to know the theory syllabus.

Good luck with your search!

[richteralan]

We have an English speaking teacher for my son's Piano lessons (granted it is not the teacher's first language, but he does ok with my son), we live in Pokfulam area. I don't know what most parents look for, I've heard they want minimum Grade 8 level to teach, and of course lots of certificates, but I wanted someone who can relate to my child and keep him engaged and interested in the music. . . but I could be in the minority here. Good luck with your search!

I'm glad to find there are some parents who encourages the ENJOYMENT of music instead of exam exam exam. From what I've been told, most Hong Kong parents are concerned with ABRSM grades. I've even heard some beginners took lesson for 1 year and went ahead for Grade 5 exam.

Relate to the child and make him/her enjoy the music is one of my forte for sure as my American students all hated MTNA federation exams.