Got a senior grade...must get commentary better

[Nigel]

Hello all.

I've scrapped throung my senior test today.

Commentary was my weak point, this has been pointed out to me before, by David Wornham, my mentor.

I'm not sure how to correct this, advice anyone ?

[James]

Did he explain why he said this? What sort of commentrray would you normally give? What would you say and swhen would you say it?

I am happy to provide commentary suggestion for any scenario you give me, no matter how many you throw! Let me start you off;

Let's say you have just been told to start commentary. Relax, don't panic, set the scene.

"We are on a single lane carriageway with 2 lanes in each direction, subject to a 30 mph speed limit."

"Mirror's, there is one car behind me at a reasonable distance"

"The road is dry, level and good. The road is seperated by hazard lines".

"Mirror's".

"Lifting my vision I can see..." and on goes the commentary associated with the drive...

[Nigel]

He said my comentary was patchy, sometimes I told him everything, sometimes nothing.

I'm in a slightly different postition to you, where I've got to give a reasonable one, but not put the associate off by making it so slick they think they can't attain it.

I didn't enjoy the experience, which to me must mean I'm struggling at this level...looks like I've more work to do.

[rlmr]

I've got to give a reasonable one, but not put the associate off by making it so slick they think they can't attain it.

This is always a problem... but far better to give a full commentary and explain to the "potential associate" that they will build up to this through time rather than leave blanks which might be misinterpreted.

It's slightly different for me, conducting Bike Senior Ob's, as Commentary is not mandatory (as radios are at a groups' discretion as they are not supplied by the IAM).

If you want to chat, call or PM me etc.

[waremark]

I don't think you should limit your commentary to what is achieveable in the short term by the associate. Giving a commentary during a demo drive is a major teaching tool - illustrating as many as possible of the things they should be thinking about. There is more chance of them taking such things in when you are driving than when they are. And you would be showing them the sort of commentary which they might be aiming for at a later stage. But I understand you do not want the associate to be discouraged, so do tell them that you have had to put in a lot of practise to get your commentary to this level.

If you want to pick up commentary ideas, I recommend the commentary DVD's from Hugh Noblett of Cadence and from Mark Kendrick of Bespoke Driver Training http://www.bespokedrivertraining.co.uk/ ... ry_dvd.htm
Mark's illustrates three different styles which is helpful.

I hope you'll enjoy working on your commentary.

[Nigel]

Thanks for the link.

Malvern ?, I only live down the road, do you know these people ?

[PeteG]

I practiced my commentary when taking my mum shopping today... took a scenic route home, and kept it going as much as I could. First time I've ever kept any sort of flow to it, normally with my observer I go off on another point and forget all about the comentary.
Still needs work, just think it'll be nice if I can put a bit of commentary in when I come to my Roadar test...

[JamesH]

I was (effectively) criticised for not doing any commentary in my RoSPA test. Whenever practising though, I still feel like a complete twit - even on my own!

[waremark]

Malvern ?, I only live down the road, do you know these people ?

I don't know Mark Kendrick personally, but he is a member of HPC and has a good reputation as a trainer and as a nice bloke.

[AdamW]

Well done Nigel.

[Lady Godiva]

Giving a commentary during a demo drive is a major teaching tool - illustrating as many as possible of the things they should be thinking about.

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. One my very first observed run ever, I drove first, then the Observer offered to do a demo drive. I agreed, so she did it...without commentary...and it meant absolutely nothing. I had no idea what she was doing, why she was doing it, or when she did it.

I was left extremely disapointed, as we drove around for 1/2 hour, with me sat in the passenger seat not knowing what was going on.

Please, always let the Associate know what is happening very very clearly. I would have welcomed a commentary, as not only would it have told me what was being done, I would have known what to do when I was asked to do a commentary.

[rlmr]

I was left extremely disapointed, as we drove around for 1/2 hour, with me sat in the passenger seat not knowing what was going on.

Could not agree more... bit of a waste of 30 minutes

Please, always let the Associate know what is happening very very clearly. I would have welcomed a commentary, as not only would it have told me what was being done, I would have known what to do when I was asked to do a commentary.

Spot on. Education by Example .

[martine]

A belated 'well done' Nigel. Senior is something I'd like to do but just too busy at the moment to commit to it. Was the test done by your IAM staff examiner?

[Nigel]

Our staff IAM examiner Martin

[martine]

Not the one and only Andy Poulton? Fine chap (he's probably 'listening'!).