Teaching in the Classroom

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Having a high level of subject knowledge is not enough to make a good instructor. It's also vital that we can interact effectively with students in the classroom, both on an interpersonal level and as a teacher. Of the many skills demanded from instructors, the ability to impart and check knowledge in a structured, engaging and adaptable manner is of equal importance to having subject knowledge well beyond that of the syllabus.

Anybody wanting to start teaching RYA shorebased courses will need to undertake a ‘Teaching in the Classroom’ course.

The Teaching in the Classroom course explores the various skillsets required of a classroom-based RYA instructor. The online module encompasses elements of learning theory then delivers practical techniques for student-centred teaching which are put into practise, developed and refined during the classroom session. If you hold one of the qualifications or appointments below, the Teaching in the Classroom course is highly recommended but optional:

  • Yachtmaster™ Instructors
  • Coach Assessors in the Dinghy, Keelboat and Multihull Schemes
  • Trainers in the Windsurfing, Powerboat, Personal Watercraft and Inland Waterways Schemes
  • Holders of a valid subject-specific RYA Shorebased Instructor certificate
  • Holders of a professional teaching qualification such as PGCE or CertEd
  • Holders of IMO Train the Trainer 6.09

The Teaching in the Classroom course must be completed before attendance on any of the following Shorebased Instructor courses (unless you hold one of the qualifications or appointments above):

  • RYA Shorebased Navigation Instructor (required to teach RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship, RYA Day Skipper Shorebased and RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster™ Offshore Shorebased courses)
  • RYA Diesel Engine Instructor
  • RYA First Aid Instructor
  • RYA Marine Radio (SRC) Assessor
  • RYA Radar Instructor
  • RYA Basic Sea Survival Instructor

Note: Following a subject-specific Shorebased Instructor course, candidates who receive an action plan may be tasked to complete the Teaching in the Classroom course if they haven't already done so.

Training course 

This course comprises an online pre-learning module which takes approximately one to two hours followed by a one-day classroom session run by an appointed RYA Teaching in the Classroom Trainer.

Delegates will be expected to prepare two lessons in the time between completing the online module and attending the classroom session. These lessons will be delivered during the classroom session with the opportunity to gain feedback from the Trainer.

Lesson subjects will be allocated according to the candidate’s experience or their upcoming subject-specific instructor course.

Course Dates and Online Booking Form
Minimum age
 18
Required RYA certificates 
  • An RYA practical instructor certificate in any discipline,  or
  • The certificate(s) required to undertake one of the shorebased instructor courses listed above. 
Required teaching qualifications  No previous teaching experience is required but some experience of teaching or instructing is recommended.
Pre-course knowledge and experience
 No previous teaching knowledge is required but you must have instructor level knowledge in at least one of the shorebased courses listed above.
Assessment
 This course is not assessed but delegates will be given constructive feedback about their teaching ability. The delegate report from this course will be made available to the Trainer running the  subject-specific Shorebased Instructor training course.
Qualified to teach
 This qualification alone does not qualify you to teach any RYA shorebased or practical course – it must be combined with an additional instructor qualification.
Validity
 This course does not expire but the shorebased instructor courses that it supports have a five year validity.
RYA membership
 Required

Note for Yachtmaster Instructors

Although YMIs are not required to complete the ‘Teaching in the Classroom’ course, from 1 March 2019 they will be required to undertake the two-day ‘Shorebased Navigation Instructor’ course before being able to teach RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship, RYA Day Skipper Shorebased and RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore Shorebased courses.