Finding the "Right" Fit
- Celeste Wu
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
In my 2025 plan, I had a to-do list for learning a new skill.
At the beginning of the year, I hesitated, debated, and finally decided to execute it in the first half of the year. I started taking classes twice a week.
The course arrangement allowed students to choose their class times but not their instructors. As a result, I encountered different teachers in every session, each with their unique teaching styles and methods.
Sometimes, a class was filled with learning through failure. Other times, it was just full of frustration. There were even moments when I had no idea what I was doing, nor what I had learned by the end of the lesson.
Teachers are like little guides helping to solve puzzles. They can't learn on behalf of their students, but because they have a clearer view of the overall learning objectives, they can lead students—who may still be unfamiliar with the map—step by step in the right direction. When students take the wrong path, they offer subtle hints; when they stumble, they lend a helping hand. Their role is to help students piece together the learning map more efficiently, avoiding unnecessary detours.
A teacher’s approach is shaped by their learning journey, background, personality, and passion for teaching. Since every student has their own preferences, I believe there is no absolute "good" or "bad" teaching style—only what is suitable. However, when it comes to teaching passion, I care about whether a teacher genuinely wants to teach, is willing to teach, and puts effort into it.
Perhaps due to my work experience, I’ve become stricter when it comes to teaching. At the same time, it has made me reflect on my own approach. I just need to remind myself often: "Be strict with myself but lenient with others."
The teaching methods I prefer:
Clear instructions—I know what to do and can prepare before starting.
Plenty of trial-and-error opportunities for students.
Immediate correction, reminders, and guidance—helping me understand what I did wrong, how I went wrong, and how to fix it (fixing mistakes right away is highly effective for learning).
Proper breaks—if the tension is too high for too long, students get exhausted, making it hard to concentrate and reducing learning efficiency.
Focus on key points—avoid unnecessary rambling. Too much theory without hands-on practice is a missed opportunity.
After discussing this with friends and reflecting on my own teaching experiences, I recalled moments when I was asked by senior students, "How long have you been teaching?" or when a blond-haired, blue-eyed student told me earnestly, "I don’t want to learn something wrong and correct it later—I want to get it right from the start." But those were early-stage experiences.
Thankfully, those moments have not repeated! I’ve continuously refined my teaching methods through every new attempt.
For adults, learning time is incredibly precious—I hope every lesson is just right! Not too much, not too little, but perfectly balanced.
Of course, not every teacher meticulously corrects every mistake. Sometimes, they might not notice (because they never made that mistake themselves), they might forget (because they don’t remember their own learning struggles), or they might not consider it important at the moment. That’s why you can also take the initiative to voice your struggles and ask for guidance.
Just like a model friend once told me long ago:
A good model can still create great work even with an inexperienced photographer, and a skilled photographer can turn an inexperienced model into a star.
In the end, it’s all about adapting to different situations—because real-life scenarios can’t just be copied and pasted.
After experiencing lessons with nine different teachers, I finally found the one who I know is the best fit for me!
His approach:
First assesses my level—understanding what I know and what I don’t.
Guides me to try content slightly beyond my current ability within a manageable range.
Identifies why I struggle, pinpoints the reasons, and strengthens my weak areas.
Encourages hands-on practice with continuous correction and refinement.
Summarizes key takeaways and provides direction for further practice.
What suits me might not suit you, but I hope my trial-and-error experiences can help save you some time on your learning journey! 😊
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