Waqi Ahmed
When a pupil rates their confidence or growth lower at the end of the lesson than at the beginning (e.g., starting at 5/10 and ending at 3/10), it can be disheartening—but it’s also a powerful coaching moment. Here’s a structured, professional approach to handling it using coaching and reflective techniques:
1. Stay Curious, Not Defensive
“That’s really interesting—can you tell me what made you feel that way?”
This opens a safe space for the pupil to reflect and express their reasons without feeling judged.
2. Explore Their Perception
Use open-ended questions to understand what specific part made them feel less confident:
“Was there a moment during the lesson that made you feel things were going backward?”
“Do you think you might be more aware of your challenges now, and that’s affecting your score?”
Sometimes, increased awareness of their weaknesses can temporarily lower confidence—it’s a sign of growth, not failure.
3. Reframe the Experience
Point out observed improvements and reframe mistakes as learning opportunities:
“You handled roundabouts more independently today, even if it didn’t feel smooth. That’s actually progress—we’re moving from supported to self-managed driving.”
4. Use the ‘Compare to Before’ Technique
Help them compare today’s performance to earlier lessons, not just to a perfect standard:
“Compared to where you were two weeks ago, do you see how much more you’re doing on your own now?”
5. Set a Focused, Positive Goal
End with an actionable, confidence-building step:
“Let’s focus on one skill next time—maybe lane positioning or junction timing—and track that one thing. I’m confident you’ll feel the difference.”
This approach maintains the pupil’s trust, supports their emotional engagement, and keeps them motivated by helping them see their own progress through a clearer, more objective lens.
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