May fully I endorse Stanley's request above? Even more so, that there is much more extensive consultation with the wider teaching community than we have seen in the past? That, surely, is what a Teaching Forum should be about, not being put in the position of grumbling after being presented with a fait accompli.

There are many differing views on how to teach as well as what to teach; those best placed to offer useful comments on this are those who have done it, often very successfully over a number of years. Stanley and I, for example, have differed vigorously on some aspects of the Beginner's lessons; that is as it should be, provided that this does not descend into ad hominem/feminam criticisms. It is as well to hear rational arguments being propounded for one view or another, and leave individual teachers to make their own decisions as to detail. I believe that the teaching groups of NZ Bridge have done a very good job in laying out some approaches, and certainly in providing extensive material as a basis; it would be a shame to see such efforts being wasted.

Cheers

Douglas Russell

Akarana/Auckland/North Shore

http://www.nzbridge.co.nz/commitees-of-the-board.html

Thanks Giles - this is actually called the "Teaching and Player Development Committee". Is this the same body? Confusing giving it a different name if so.

Douglas Russell