Assessment

All trainees will be assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the course.  We will provide regular feedback and mentoring to help you develop and grow, supporting you as you gain the necessary confidence and knowledge required in your new role as yoga teacher.

All trainees are required to participate in all elements of the course and are required to complete pre-course preparation and reading and a a range of personal research assignments issued during the course.

Written work and personal research

Throughout the course, trainees will be issued reading and some written and practical research projects to support their learning.  All trainees are required to demonstrate that they have understood and absorbed the material presented during the course through written and practical assignments. Trainees are required to complete the following assignments and research projects:

• Maintain your own yoga journal as a record of your personal yoga practice
• Two philosophy essays, to demonstrate your understanding of yoga philosophy
• Design a comprehensive 6 week course, suitable for beginners. You will be thoroughly prepared, guided, and briefed for this assignment, and will receive clear and comprehensive feedback
• A case study outlining your design and delivery of 10 classes,  showing your intention for each class, together with your reflection on your experience

Teaching assessments

Trainees are encouraged to begin practising their teaching skills as soon as possible, to thoroughly prepare them for the formal assessments, so that they develop into skilful and confident teachers.  All trainees are required to teach 10 classes, minimum 10 hours of total teaching time, between Module 1 and Module 5.

To successfully graduate from the IYTT course, each trainee’s teaching skills will be observed and assessed on three separate occasions: twice internally (by Catherine Annis) and once externally (by an independent assessor). There will be ample teaching practice during the course modules to prepare you for these assessments.

1. Mid-term assessment

   The first teaching assessment takes place approximately half way through the course, during Module 3.  All trainees will teach two yoga forms to their fellow trainees.  You will be provided with comprehensive feedback on all aspects of your teaching skills to help identify areas for development.

2. Mock assessment

   For the second teaching assessment, the mock assessment, you will design and teach a 60 minute class to a group of at least 5 participants.  The class plan and the class will be reviewed and feedback will be provided to help you identify areas of strength and any areas where you need to develop to meet the criteria to pass the final assessment.

3. Final assessment

   The third teaching assessment is the final assessed taught class.  This is a 1 hour class of your design, which you teach to a group of at least 5 participants.  This will be assessed by an external assessor.  Trainees are responsible for arranging their own sample participants and for paying the necessary assessment fees directly to the assessor (currently on average £90 per assessment).

This assessment procedure is intended to be rigorous, and is designed to ensure that trainees graduate as confident, well-practised, safe and resourceful teachers, who have the necessary skills to adapt and modify their classes to suit people of all abilities. Trainees will take part in regular teaching practice during the modules and in the periods between modules to ensure they are thoroughly prepared for the assessments. The feedback provided throughout the course and during the assessments will help you develop your teaching skills, build confidence and ensure your teaching is clear and easily accessible, so you become an effective and engaging teacher.

Other requirements towards graduation

In addition to the written homework and assessed classes, each trainee will also be required to complete the following elements outside the modules:

• 40 hours classes / workshops with recommended teachers
• 30 hours documented self-practice
• 10 hours observing
• 5 hours mentor meetings and professional supervision
• Personal research assignments to underpin your learning after each module

First Aid Course – All trainees are advised to complete a basic First Aid course (at their own expense) before they begin teaching outside the course.

Graduation is only possible once all the above elements have been completed.