This is a programme of study run by ESTA Education, a UK accredited organisation offering multi-instrumental courses at various levels.

This course is currently available for teachers based in China, Hong Kong and South East Asia, who teach piano or strings.
It is designed by Bill Thomson (distinguished musician, teacher and former ABRSM Hong Kong and Singapore Development Executive) and Professor Laura Ritchie (Professor of Learning and Teaching at University of Chichester) and taught face-to-face by experienced mentors.
This course is delivered bi-lingually (with resident experienced musician interpreters) and covers the principles of teaching. It is suitable for new, aspiring teachers of piano and strings, as well as those experienced teachers who work in isolation and who would benefit from interacting with colleagues.
The course consists of 6 full study days (0900-1800hrs) with the Course Leader, and mentors drawn from the ESTA mentor panel. Minimum requirements for enrolment are a pass in Grade 8 Piano from ABRSM or another recognised examination board and minimum age is 18 years of age.
This course will provide skills and knowledge, as well as a stepping stone for those with plans to take Teaching Diplomas. Equally, it will provide refreshment and new approaches for experienced teachers.
The Course Leader and mentors are British trained, Western music educators who have many years’ experience in supporting music teachers across South East Asia.
Assessment will be based on one 1,500 word written assignment (in English or Chinese) at the mid-way point of the course. Study topics such as: creative teaching processes; methodology; psychology of teaching; examination preparation and ABRSM examination repertoire; improvisation and ensemble playing are all included in this unique course.
Fees for the course are £2,200 per student.
Course topics

- Early education and approaches to piano teaching Improvisation for beginners
- Playing by ear
- Creative teaching
- Understanding Childhood Psychology
- Preparation for examinations
- Preparation for Viva Voce in teaching Diplomas
- Playing the piano convincingly
- Piano duets and their value
- Developing memory skills as a pianist
- G.6 to G.8 piano repertoire
- The history of the piano and its development through the last 300 years
- Developing good sight reading skills using the Paul Harris method
- Motivating teenagers
- Preparing students for competitions
- Planning student concerts by a teacher
- 20th Century piano music (Russian, French, American and English music)
- Jazz (Blues, Ragtime and technique involved in Jazz performance)
- An exploration of more advanced piano repertoire
- Teaching Adults
- Development of a secure finger technique (methods, etudes and physiology of piano playing)
- Touch and Tone
- Pedal techniques
- The Holistic musician
在這獨特的課程中,導師將與老師以互動的方式探討以下主題:
- 早期教育和鋼琴教學的方法
- 初學者的即興彈奏
- 用耳朵彈奏
- 創意教學
- 瞭解兒童心理學
- 考試的預備
- 教學文憑口試部分的預備
- 有效的鋼琴彈奏
- 鋼琴二重奏與它的價值
- 發展鋼琴記憶的技巧
- 第六級至第八級的鋼琴作品
- 鋼琴歷史與它300年來的發展
- 發展好的視奏技巧(運用保羅哈里斯的方法)
- 推動青少年的學習
- 為學生準備比賽
- 如何為學生準備音樂會
- 20世紀的鋼琴音樂(俄羅斯,法國,美國,及英國的音樂)
- 爵士樂(藍調,雷格泰姆及其包括爵士樂演奏的技巧)
- 探索高級的鋼琴曲目
- 成人教學
- 發展良好的手指技巧(鋼琴演奏的方法,練習曲,和彈奏鋼琴的物理學)
- 觸鍵與音色
- 踏板技巧
- 全面的音樂家
在这独特的课程中,导师将与老师以互动的方式探讨以下主题:
- 早期教育和钢琴教学的方法
- 初学者的即兴弹奏
- 用耳朵弹奏
- 创意教学
- 了解儿童心理学
- 考试的预备
- 教学文凭口试部分的预备
- 有效的钢琴弹奏
- 钢琴二重奏与它的价值
- 发展钢琴记忆的技巧
- 第六级至第八级的钢琴作品
- 钢琴历史与它300年来的发展
- 发展好的视奏技巧(运用保罗哈里斯的方法)
- 推动青少年的学习
- 为学生准备比赛
- 如何为学生准备音乐会
- 20世纪的钢琴音乐(俄罗斯,法国,美国,及英国的音乐)
- 爵士乐(蓝调,雷格泰姆及其包括爵士乐演奏的技巧)
- 探索高级的钢琴曲目
- 成人教学
- 发展良好的手指技巧(钢琴演奏的方法,练习曲,和弹奏钢琴的物理学)
- 触键与音色
- 踏板技巧
- 全面的音乐家
FAQ’s

Who is the course for?
This course is for piano teachers who want to improve their skills and knowledge, or use it as a stepping stone when preparing to take Teaching Diplomas. Equally, it will provide refreshment and new approaches for experienced teachers. The Course Leader and mentors are British trained, Western music educators who have many years’ experience in supporting music teachers across South East Asia.
Is the course about one particular method of teaching?
The course covers the principles of teaching with 24 topics explored in an interactive way with teachers. Study topics such as: creative teaching processes; methodology; psychology of teaching; examination preparation and ABRSM examination repertoire; improvisation and ensemble playing are all included in this unique course.
What language is the course delivered in.
The course is delivered in Chinese and English
What language will I have to submit written work in?
Written work can be submitted in either English or Chinese.
How do I apply for the course?
To apply please contact ESTA Director of Development. Ms Madeline Kam mkam@estaeducation.co.uk
How long is the course?
The course consists of 6 face to face days with the course leader. Assessment will be based on one 1,500 word written assignment (in English or Chinese).
What qualifications do I need to enrol on the course?
Minimum requirements for enrolment are a pass in Grade 8 Piano from ABRSM or another recognised examination board and minimum age is 18 years of age.
How do I pay for the course?
All credit and debit cards are accepted. A payment link will be sent to you once your application has been accepted.
Will I still get the discount if I don’t attend the taster session.
Only teachers attending the taster session qualify for the discount.
問:課程對象是誰?
答:這個課程為鋼琴老師提供不同的知識和技能,或為準備考取教師文憑的老師的踏腳石;同時,這課程亦會為有經驗的老師復習現有知識及教授新的教學方法。課程負責人和導師都是於受英國培訓,並有多年於東南亞作音樂導師培訓課程的西方音樂教育家。
問:這個課程是否關於一種特定的教學方法?
答:課程中,導師將與老師以互動的方式探討24主題。課題包括:創意教學、方法、教學心理學、準備英國皇家音樂學院考試曲、即興創作和合奏彈奏。
問:課程以什麼語言授課?
答:課程將以英語和廣東話/普通話雙語教授。
問:我需要用哪種語言提交寫作?
答:可以用英文或中文提交寫作。
問:我應如何申請課程?
答:如要申請,請聯繫ESTA發展總監 金小姐 mkam@estaeducation.co.uk
問:課程多久?
答:6天課程由課程負責人以面對面形式授課組成。 評估將基於1,500字的書面寫作(英文或中文)。
問:需要什麼資格才能報名參加課程?
答:最低入學要求是英國皇家音樂學院或其他認可的考試委員會頒發的八級鋼琴證書,最低年齡為18歲。
問:我如何支付課程費用?
答:所有的信用卡和記賬卡都被接受。 付款鏈接將在您的申請被接受後發送給您。
問:如果我不參加簡介會,我還會得到折扣嗎優惠?
答:只有參加簡介會的教師才有折扣優惠。