And if he or you believe that, there is a problem.
Can you really say "I know everything in English". Theoretically, you might know all the words in the dictionary. You might have impeccable grammar.
But there are new words that are added everyday. Idioms, metaphors, inferences.
How do you find a teacher online? What do you look at?
Teaching experience in years?
Work catalogue/Discography? Awards?
Masters/PhD.?
And what if I were to say that someone much less qualified (on paper) might be a better fit for you?
Except for a year at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, I've never really had 'taaleem' (proper structured practice)
But I've really tried to learn from all my heroes on the radio. I've also asked friends, practised with them. I've had workshops on the show "The Stage" and then on "Balle Balle", refresher sessions with ustaads (sessions meant for well versed, trained singers).
And all of them had something new, something unique to offer. And I learnt so much from all of them.
I will not compare one with the other and they are equal to me in the sense that none of them knew everything.
But there were a few that were better at teaching
The most successful coaches don't always have the most illustrious resume/careers.
But they know how to teach, they know how to work with students and they are passionate about teaching and really look at helping their students, grow, get better.
And there are other factors too.
People who've spent years training, mastering and perfecting (at least tried to) their craft tend to have tunnel vision and only focus on a particular vein or class and might be global leaders in one aspect but rough around the edges at other aspects. For example - a rock guitarist will be interested in minor pentatonic scales, while a Jazz guitarist might want to work with interesting innovative chord shapes. Someone wanting to be a singer songwriter will have different priorities than someone playing for a band.
Having studied a craft and being so immersed in that language, they might get so used to it that they forget lay man terms to explain concepts to beginners and may even take certain simple things for granted. A 10th grader will probably be able to help a 8th/9th grader better than a Relationship Manager at a car dealership.
Have you noticed educated people scoffing at or judging those who can't speak proper English? Some teachers are so well versed in their ways that they lose patience while explaining simple concepts to absolute beginners.
How to find the right teacher for you?
Talk to your teacher. Ask him his/her plans. Tell him your objectives and aspirations. See what he has to add or say to that.
His social media profile like Facebook, Instagram is a probably a slightly better indicator compared to his LinkedIn profile, his website or even his resume.
Can he communicate his ideas well? Humility vs Arrogance? Is he listening to what you have to say?
How to be a better teacher?
Always have the student mindset. As a teacher, I will never claim to know everything. In fact I occasionally, knowingly and unknowingly learn so much from them.
Instead of coming from a place of privilege, I understand my student's aspirations, their plans, their desires and what I can do/add to make them better.
And I do my research. The biggest tool for an actor is observation and lived experience.
Putting yourself in their shoes puts you are in a better position to explain and tackle newbie issues.
No matter what the skill, experiences, tastes, likes/dislikes - always be flexible in your methodology to allow for their growth and not be rigid and set in your own ways and follow strict guidelines and rules.
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