FAQs

• Join the Roskell Academy

• Apply for the Certification level course within the Roskell Academy

• Choose three students (this is better than two in case of dropout). Ideally these would be of contrasting ages and learning styles. They don’t need to be your most talented students. Ask for written permission to record parts of lessons.
• Start a log book/journal for each student.
• Sign up for the training events which will be most useful for you (they do have to sign up for webinars, yes?
• Select additional resources which will be useful for you (see Recommended reading and pre-recorded courses)
• Participate in the Roskell Academy forum – ask questions and support each other.
• Come along to a Network and Natter session to ask questions you may have

Choose piece(s) for your own performance well in advance and plan a date for the recording. Consider booking some piano lessons or a mentoring session from a certified teacher.
There is a free choice of piece, but preferably choose pieces which demonstrate an understanding of a range of different techniques, such as:
• Elementary: A selection of pieces from Essential Piano Technique, movements from a Classical Sonatina eg Clementi Sonatina In C, 1st or some of the recommended pieces from Level 1 or Level 2.
• Intermediate: A selection of pieces from Level 3 or from the recommended pieces, movements from a Classical Sonata eg Mozart Sonata in C major K545
• Advanced: A first movement of a Beethoven Sonata eg Sonata in C minor, Op 10 No 1, a Chopin Nocturne or a selection of pieces demonstrating techniques from The Complete Pianist.

The logbook will not be assessed, but this is a good way to plan and reflect on your teaching. It will also help you prepare for the assessment, in which Penelope will ask about your students’ overall progress.

Firstly, reflect on your students’ needs:
• Have they already studied earlier levels of EPT books?
• Are they transfer students?
• What are they most in need of technically at the moment?
• Do you intend to use the Roskell method alongside other method books or theory or sightreading books? How will you go about that?
• What do you hope to achieve this year? What are your long-term goals?
• Will the student also be preparing for an exam or other performance?
Make notes after each student’s lesson – what worked and what didn’t. What could you improve on in the next lesson?

• Agree a time which is mutually convenient to you and Penelope
• Submit the recording of lessons and performances at least one month in advance
• Revise your logbook

Our live training courses are strongly recommended for all teachers. However, if you are already very experienced in teaching the Roskell Method and have been teaching students with this approach for some time, you may prefer to prepare in your own time and in your own way. There are many online self-directed resources already available (and more to come), including Teaching Healthy Expressive Piano Technique and Foundations in Piano Technique. Do also check out the teacher notes and videos in all of Penelope’s books.

• The recording does not need to be of professional quality. Ensure that the hand and keyboard can be seen clearly when demonstrating a technique and that the sound quality is adequate.
• The purpose is not to show your best student performing perfectly, but to show how you can express concepts clearly and help a student learn a particular technique in an effective and supportive way.

Ideally the recorded lesson will be in English, French or Italian. Please tell us on the application form if the recording will be in a different language.

The interviews are usually conducted in English. Extra consideration will be given for candidates whose native language is not English. Please let us know if English is a problem for you.

You will be able to use your phone/tablet/laptop to record, and you can then submit the recording using our submission service.