Session 4.  Watch and Speak

All too often instructors fail to fully observe their learner’s use of mirrors and implementation of the Mirrors, Signal, Position Speed Look (MSPSL) routine. This is often because they are too busy looking at the road when they should be focusing their attention inside the car.  We have covered this in the watching the learner session.

This problem is pretty easy to rectify by using a basic routine when giving route directions and other instructions.

It’s typical for instructors to ‘speak to the windscreen’ when giving directions and other instructions, only turning to look at the learner after the direction has been given. There are two major problems with this:

• The first problem is the instructor may accuse the learner of not checking the mirrors when, in fact, a check has been made. This can lead to a breakdown in communication because the learner feels (quite rightly) as if he/she is being unfairly treated.

• The second problem is simply that the learner might not check their mirrors, mistime mirror checks or often get the MSPSL sequence all wrong and the instructor will be unaware of it.  The longer this is left un rectified then the more the learner will build an incorrect, muscle memory based, system.

The solution is quite simple :

Make sure that as an instructor you turn to look at the driver before opening your mouth to give the route directions (or other instructions). As with the watch the learner exercise you should then continue to watch the learner until they make the appropriate mirror checks or until instruction is required because the checks are late.

To get the message across you need to think about the timing of your instruction or direction and other input – this is achieved with the first exercise – and then practise ‘looking before speaking’, the second exercise.

Thinking ahead exercise

This exercise is to help you to appreciate that you need to plan earlier for hazards when instructing than driving.

If you are practicing alone then this is also a good opportunity to brush up on those commentary skills.  Practice looking further down the road and trying to move the commentary drive on to a predicted action drive.

When next teaching tell your learners you will be taking this approach, looking at them and giving directions coupled with focus observation on them at junctions etc.

During the lesson describe briefly to the learner how they will need to deal with each hazard ahead, and then give clear instructions before the driver carries out each action. Almost certainly, your learner will be on top of the first few hazards before you have finished describing them.  Let your learner know this will happen and what you are doing is just judging your timing to best suit their driving style.

Given the experience in this exercise, how much time should you allow between you starting to speak and the learners starting to act?

In order to give route-directions or instruction, how much further from a hazard is the point that you must decide what action is needed when you are teaching compared with when you are driving?

Is it:

• The same distance?

• One and a half times the distance?

• Twice?

• Three times?

• Or something else?

Focus on giving instruction and or directions directly to your learner.  Ask them how well they could hear you and if your instruction and support was clear.  Ask them how they feel it has benefitted the learning experience for them.

Then do the same thing again looking away and out of your window - again ask how they feel about it - was your instruction as clear?  Could they have misinterpreted your comments or instruction?

Following the exercise you may may have found it easy, many find this difficult until they are in a car with the instructor roll playing these skills.  Do not feel put off if any of the online training and self practice seems difficult or out of your comfort zone - that is normal.

Remember these online modules are designed to provide a background and foundation for your in car practice to help development.  Above all, remember to have fun.

During the online workshop you will have the opportunity to discuss and compare experiences.  This offers an invaluable opportunity to learn from others and build upon your knowledge and insight.

Next Workshop TBC