Were directions and instructions given to the pupil clear and given in good time?

‘Directions’ are taken to mean any instruction, such as ‘turn left at the next junction’ or ‘try changing gear a little later’. Any input from you must be sufficient, timely and appropriate. It is important that you take account of the ability of your pupil when giving directions. Directions given late, or in a confusing or misleading way, do not allow the pupil to respond and can make weaknesses worse.

Too many unnecessary instructions from you can both de-motivate your pupil and create a real hazard. Remember it is an offence to use a mobile phone whilst driving because this is known to create a level of risk equivalent to or, in some cases, greater than driving whilst drunk. It cannot, therefore be good practice to constantly bombard your pupil with unnecessary questions.

Indications that all the elements of competence are in place could include:

• clear, concise directions
• ensuring your pupil understands what you plan to do and agrees with that plan
• directions given at a suitable time so that the pupil can respond

Indications of lack of competence include:

• giving confusing directions
• giving directions too late
• giving unnecessary directions
• failing to recognise when your input is causing overload or confusion

We should always be aiming to help our learners reach their full potential. A persons potential can be almost expressed mathematically, it is their performance minus any interference. Interference can come from many sources; lack of confidence, doubting their ability, negative self talk, lack of self belief etc.

But a big source of interference can come from mis-timed, badly phrased or misleading instruction. for example, turn left at the end of the road right. Be sure that your directions are concise and clear and in plenty of time. take the trouble to ask your learners if they feel you give them enough time, and do they always understand what you mean It is an area I see ADI’s getting wrong quite a bit of the time. Take the time to analyse if you are good at it or not (you will need feedback from others as you are not best placed to decide)