Whether you're an emerging teacher looking to upskill, or an experienced teacher wanting to up your game, this syllabus is definitely the qualification you need hanging on your studio wall.
This syllabus is cutting edge. It's informed by the most up-to-date teaching research and shares the very latest approaches in best practice teaching and learning for students. Available in two levels, the Teaching Syllabus is aimed at both emerging teachers, and established. You get to build your knowledge around your existing teaching and goals as it's designed so that you can apply your learning as you progress through the assessment tasks.
Who was the brains behind the Teaching Syllabus?
Dr Brad Merrick led the project as the Syllabus Consultant, with enormous input from Dr Jennifer Blackwell, our Teaching Syllabus Reviewer. We also brought in academics and education professionals to create our Teaching Syllabus Specialist Group. These superstars are at the top of their craft and have brought their knowledge of cutting edge pedagogy and best practice to put together a really exciting and ground-breaking Syllabus. There's nothing like it anywhere else!
What's the Teaching Syllabus about?
This syllabus aims to:
- Provide clear pathways for instrumental and vocal music teachers.
- Provide high quality professional development.
- Establish a community of best practice.
- Create positive change in the music teaching community.
- Build on the previous AMEB Teaching Syllabus.
Who's the Syllabus for?
Instrumental and vocal teachers who are keen to challenge themselves and grow their understanding and craft. There are two levels available to suit teachers at different career stages. The Certificate Teacher of Music Australia (CTMusA) is designed for teachers who may not have a prior official qualification in teaching, or perhaps early career teachers who are looking to stay up-to-date with best practices in instrumental pedagogy. The Associate Teacher of Music Australia (ATMusA) aims to refine and extend existing skills and knowledge and is a valuable source of training and development for established teachers.
What will I learn?
Both qualifications draw upon emerging research in the music pedagogy field to provide you with relevant learning opportunities. You're encouraged to draw on your own teaching journey as you engage with the material from the four learning pillars. Those four learning pillars are:
- WHY am I teaching?
- WHAT do I teach?
- HOW and WHEN do I teach?
- My PERFORMANCE as a teacher.
To further build on those pillars, each task and concept is approached with the four-stage cycle of learning model: Plan, Do, Review, and New.
The syllabus offers a range of rich learning opportunities that are curated to challenge and inspire, so you can develop even greater confidence in your ability as a studio teacher.
What's involved in the exams?
There are three sections of assessment, with Two tasks in each section (Task A and Task B). The assessments cover a broad range of skills, focusing on lesson planning, reflection, teaching and performance demonstrations. Written tasks include responses to case studies, lesson planning, and analysis of teaching strategies. Practical tasks include a teaching demonstration and a performance of a selection of pieces (from your nominated teaching level), both of which are followed by a discussion with the Examiner (Viva Voce). The ATMusA expands upong that to include self-reflections on teaching practice, and design of student assessment activities.
What resources are available to support me?
The Syllabus itself is free to download and it contains the framework of what you'll be working towards. All Candidates are expected to have a mentor to help guide them through the assessment tasks and support them as they grow. To aid both the teacher and their mentor, we have the AMEB Teaching Guide to assessment (also free to download) which steps through the various tasks and provides examples and strategies to get the most out of the Syllabus. There's also the AMEB Teaching Companion text, which is a curated collation of articles specifically curated to share evidence-based pedagogy ideas and fuel your inspiration.
Do I need to find new students to complete the tasks?
Not at all. In fact, the whole Syllabus has been designed to fit with your teaching studio and area of expertise. It aims to build on the skills you're already using and support you in taking them to a new level in the context of your regular lessons.
When can I do a Teaching exam?
Exams are entirely flexible with written components available for submission online. For the face-to-face exams, we can find a time to suit you but, as there will be two Examiners to also coordinate times with, please ensure you give us a bit of notice. You can enrol to get started via SCORE at any time.
I have more questions.
That's great! We'd love to help with those. Please feel free to browse the other great sources of information on our website (such as our page dedicated to teachers) or get in touch to find out more.
