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Learning About Leadership

What Makes A Good Instructor?

A good instructor must be enthusiastic about their subject, disciplined in its presentation, competent both in their subject and their ability to select appropriate methods of putting it over. The more 'expert' an instructor is, the more trouble must be taken to ensure that the instruction starts at a point that the Scouts can understand and that the talk or demonstration does not go above their heads or into too much detail.

A good instructor must learn to take as much trouble with the hundredth time they present a subject as they did with the first. As much attention must also be paid to the Scouts that are being instructed as well as the subject itself.

If Leaders are to be effective in getting training across to members of the Troop, they must be able to select the best method of instruction for a particular skill. If Patrol Leaders are to be used effectively, they too will require the ability to select and deliver appropriate instruction methods. It is the Leader's responsibility to see that the Patrol Leaders are trained to be able to do this.

Visiting experts may be well versed in their particular field but may not necessarily have the skill of putting a subject across to young people. Here again, Leaders have a responsibility to ensure that such visitors are fully briefed and supported in order that the full benefit can be gained from the visit.

Before attempting any form of training, Leaders and Patrol Leaders should consider the principles of what an instructor does. Further advice on instructing is also available in The Patrol Leaders' and The Scout Leaders' Handbooks