4 Chair’s Column Anke van der Bijl frequent communicaƟon via email and knowledge of the ESA Manuals will ensure that all Teacher Trainers and Teachers will be aware of these regulaƟons. The ConvenƟon topic “InternaƟonal CredenƟals” seeks to define what these changes mean for the Teacher Training systems now and in the future. InternaƟonal GraduaƟon System All regions presented their current form of GraduaƟon. In PPSA a uniform system is in place, based on a no failure for each pupil. Pupils enter GraduaƟon only when they are ready. Success is celebrated during a GraduaƟon Concert in the Sydney Opera House. ARSA has GraduaƟon systems in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippines, Korea and Thailand with slight variaƟons between the countries. Technical exercises and local songs are someƟmes added to the core GraduaƟon repertoire. In SAA different GraduaƟon systems are in place, varying to suit the circumstances - i.e. someƟmes the geographical distance calls for a different approach. In TERI the GraduaƟon system is well established and has been in place for decades. In preparaƟon for this convenƟon a survey was conducted amongst all Japanese Suzuki Teachers. 96.8 % were very happy with the current GraduaƟon system. In 2022, 3358 Japanese pupils graduated. As for our own region : Several countries have a system in place. SomeƟmes technical exercises such as scales and arpeggios are required. To stress the importance of GraduaƟon system, the Conference Organising CommiƩee distributed a hard copy booklet with the GraduaƟon chapters of the Manga Story of Shinichi Suzuki. Fears I recently read that fear brings people into acƟon, usually unƟl a sense of security is re-established. In other words, fear brings people temporarily into acƟon. Whereas desire can change our behaviour permanently. Compare it to the carrot and the sƟck. Regions can fear that an InternaƟonal CredenƟal System or a uniform Teacher Training system will affect the quality of their Teacher Training, or fear that the number of parƟcipants and potenƟal teacher members of the associaƟon will decline. Regards an InternaƟonal GraduaƟon System, Teachers someƟmes fear evaluaƟon of their student’s graduaƟon tapes by other Teacher Trainers. The BriƟsh Suzuki Music AssociaƟon even offer a CPD Course dealing specifically with formulaƟng graduaƟon evaluaƟons in a respecƞul way. Desires In spite of any fears, all regions have the desire to respect each others’ credenƟals. A first step will be the posƟng of all Reciprocity systems on the ISA website. Thus, every teacher can clearly see what is required when moving to a different region which might help them to feel more welcome in their new environment. More discussion is needed, but there is mutual desire amongst regions to find a system to recognize each other’s training. All regions agree that GraduaƟon is a very powerful tool to moƟvate our students and unite our teachers and trainers even if systems differ. As a first step here, it was decided to start with one uniform cerƟficate/sƟcker for Twinkle GraduaƟons. A first draŌ of this TwinkRing (Twinkle + Ringing tone) design was presented at the end of the conference. Belgium was a country where, unƟl now, it was felt there was no need for a GraduaƟon system. However, at one of the convenƟon dinners, Belgian Teacher Trainers could be seen to be involved in lively discussions on how to implement a GraduaƟon system in their NaƟonal Suzuki AssociaƟon where all Teacher Trainers could be included. The conclusion of discussions on both topics of this convenƟon? One size does not fit all. However, where fear is transformed into desire, much can be accomplished! One Size does not Fit All ReflecƟons following the InternaƟonal Suzuki Teacher Trainer’s Conference, Matsumoto, Japan F rom 13 to 15 October 2023, teacher trainers from the enƟre globe gathered in Matsumoto to commemorate Dr.Suzuki’s 125th birthday and to discuss two important topics - An InternaƟonal CredenƟal System An InternaƟonal GraduaƟon System InternaƟonal CredenƟal System The SUZUKI Method is a global method. People move from one region to another (and someƟmes back again). In order to conƟnue their work as Suzuki Teachers, it is necessary to have their credenƟals recognised in the new region. Teacher Training systems vary widely across the five regions - from short term book courses without any form of assessment, to recogniƟon as Suzuki Teacher only when a candidate has graduated in all repertoire for the chosen Suzuki instrument. Since the pandemic, people have discovered online training. Remote training via the internet has had a tremendous impact on the nature of Teacher Training. ISA has made a statement about Online Training Courses - “In-person individual approaches to training and mentoring teachers are foundaƟonal to the Suzuki Method and are an essenƟal component in Suzuki Teacher Development. ISA recognizes that online teacher training may be an appropriate opƟon in certain circumstances.” ESA therefore decided that at least 50 % of any Teacher Training Course needs to be in person. It is hoped that
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