Work has picked up nicely for this time of year, I’m really pleased about that. One young lady that I taught to drive last summer has recommended me to 4 people and they have all started lessons over the past couple of weeks. Two of my pupils passed their driving test during January, and 2 more have tests booked during February so I am pretty much keeping the level of work that I am happy with.
I’ve started getting back into a bit of studying over the last couple of days. If I want to sit any exams for my Diploma in Driving Instruction this year I have to apply for them by mid February. I telephoned and requested the application pack yesterday so I should be able to apply on time. I hoped to do two modules this year but have been so surprised by how hard they are. I started studying for module 1 which is all about legal obligations and regulations, not making much headway with that I changed to module 5. Teaching, practices and procedures. This I thought would be a bit easier as I know how to teach and the practices and procedures involved. It’s a bit like wading through mud!! While I understand what I am reading I don’t seem able to take it in, and transfer it into my own words on paper, when going through the sample questions. It’s becoming very frustrating, especially when what I am reading about is how people learn, and applying different teaching practices for different people. This I can manage no problem in the car when I am teaching people to drive but trying to do the same thing to myself from the Driving Instructor’s Manual is driving me nuts!! I am now thinking that a quick look at the literature for module 4 may be my best approach, this one is entitled; Driving theory, skills and procedures. I really do want to sit at least one exam this year or I think I will end up not completing it which would be a shame as I have passed one module already.
My car has had a little service and a couple of good jet washes! After all the bad weather and road conditions it has had to put up with over the last few weeks, it thoroughly deserved it. The amount of dirt and grit that came away from right up under the wheel arches was amazing, poor little car. I am so pleased with its performance through the bad weather. I had lots of snow to drive through to get to the horses, up and down hills, and untreated country lanes to negotiated and it didn’t let me down. Although driving in ice and snow is best done in the highest gear possible, my little KA was having none of that. If I put it in 3rd, it was just going too fast, even without any acceleration, so I had to keep it in 2nd and sometimes 1st to keep the speed down. Now I’m desperately trying to look after the wheels and suspension, there are just so many deep potholes around, and try as I might, sometimes you just can’t avoid them.
I’m off to see a production of Godspell tonight with my daughters. One of my pupils is in it at his school, and I’m a big fan of musical theatre so I said I would love to go and see it. So very much looking forward to an evening of entertainment.
