As Crash and Burn says, "What a great insight this thread has given me."

Lots of great information. Some I don't agree with, lots that I do and some good new things to think about. Really neat.

I have instructed in RC for 30+ years. I learned and taught using the grab-the-box method. Didn't like the buddy box when they came out, until I used one, then wondered how we lived without it. I think Ragland's method is the one way to get the job done fast. OTOH, I don't like guys that much!!!
Now there are some mommies that bring those youngsters out that I could certainly get close to, however they just never see the benefit of learning RC. (;-))

I relate RC instruction to my USAF days where I instructed 3 years in T-33 and then 2 years in T-38. In addition there were operational Instructor times in B-47s and T-29s. As an Airline Captain, there were times when I had to impart some instruction. (As a co-pilot I also received my share!!) I see the same in RC.

As has been related in this thread, IMO the most important parts of instructing are the Pre-flight Briefings and after flight critique.
In all these years, I have never thought of what PhillyBaby (post 22) said about before going to sleep. This sounds great and all my future trainees will get that briefing.

Prior to the initial flight, the student needs about 2 hours ground school covering basic flight principles, how the radio works, pressure versus banging sticks, and safety rules/guidelines. This will bore him to tears. OTOH after a few flights, more Ground school can review and relate those points to what he/she has done in the air. It will begin to make sense.

Loops and rolls can be big confidence maneuvers and should be started after a couple flights just to break the concentration of other more disciplined flying.
I don't believe in shooting more than 3 landings without going out and boring some holes. Take a break. In USAF pilot training we found that more than 4-5 landings was too much, as the concentration was too tiring. After that the bumps got more bumpy!
By the same token, an RC student needs to fly 3 sessions per week. 2 sessions per week will require more sessions. Once a week takes much longer to solo. More than 3 will be counterproductive as will more than 4 flights in any one session.

There are some individuals that simply cannot learn to do the task. Others take to it like a duck to water. Never allow a student to solo without at least one session with another instructor. Good for all.
In civil flight training, as long as one will pay, someone will instruct him. One can go on nearly forever to get a private license.
I don't know about now as the selectees are probably much better qualified, however back in my days, it was expected that 60% would be eliminated. (My class started with 39 and graduated 14) Isn't it wonderful that we don't do that in RC???

So, BRIEF and GROUND SCHOOL the new guys. Work 'em hard and review lessons. Remain in control of the situation, but allow him to make some mistakes and recover. Never allow him to crash. Vary the lesson tasks to get that safe-for-solo and don't be afraid to allow someone else to interject their techniques and points for a few lessons.

Best of luck.