It’s exciting to share your hobbies and passions with others. Taking it a further step to teach  others that skill or topic is even more rewarding. Volunteering to teach a class in your community is a rewarding way to give back and have fun along the way.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to teach a class for the first time, from ideation to the end of the class.

Coming Up with a Class Idea

There are a few questions to ask yourself to ensure you’re set up for success when teaching for the first time.

• Most importantly, ask yourself what you’re passionate about enough about to teach to others. The topic or hobby you choose to teach a class about should be about something you’re knowledgeable about and are eager to share.
• You also want to properly gauge if there’s enough interest in the subject to warrant creating a class. . Ask your friends if they’re  also interested in the topic, and see if they’d take a class. You may even create a survey to find out the interest level in a class. Also consider the skill and/or knowledge level of potential students. You’ll want to make sure your class is something they can thrive in. Take into account how long it may take to properly learn the new skill.

How to Create a Curriculum for a Course

Once you’ve decided you’re going to teach a course , you’ll have to create the curriculum. It’s important to have a detailed plan of how to teach a class , whether it’s a one-time class or a series of sessions.

• Map out the way the class will unfold in a syllabus that has clear steps of how the course will take place. Make it clear to potential students what they’ll learn and how they’ll learn it. For example, if you’re teaching an art class, tell them what techniques they’ll learn, and show an example of a finished painting they get to take home.
• You’ll have to decide on any course materials and resources you may need. If it’s an art class, make sure you have all the appropriate supplies. If you’re teaching more of an informational class, find some additional reading or movies that could supplement your course.

How to Teach a Class for the First Time

Once you’ve reached the day of the class, remember a few things to get off on the right foot:

• Be energetic! Your new students will feed off your excitement and be more engaged in class.
• Be prepared to answer a lot of questions. Remember, you’re the teacher!
• Make sure you interact with everyone taking the class instead of just lecturing them. Make the class a conversation while you demonstrate how to perform the skill.
• Allow a lot of time for everyone to practice. It may be their first time trying a new thing, and it’ll take them longer to accomplish it. Move around the room and offer help if people get stuck.
• When the class is nearly over, review everyone’s results and give feedback. They’ll likely find that feedback to be quite valuable when they try their new hobby on their own.

Volunteering at Opus

Volunteering and sharing your passion with others is what makes Opus a special community. Teaching a class to your peers gives meaning to your day and a chance to make new friendships. Join a group of active seniors ready to teach and keep learning. Contact us today to learn more about joining our community.