Re: [TANGO-L] Technique

[Randy Pittman <tango22 @BELLSOUTH.NET>]

Trini wrote:
>I know of one instructor with a bad retention rate, who still doesn't
>get it, even after concerns were voiced to him by some in the
>community, including myself, either directly or through teacher's
>meetings.  Hmmm...blinders.

I know teachers that have great knowledge.  In a one hour class we had 15 min. of physical movement and 45 min. of lecture.  All the material was great, there was just too much information. The class needed fewer topics and more movement or be listed as a theory class.  Other teachers teach to many steps, without any decent decryption of how, it's the, just watch me and try it yourself. Sooner or later you'll get it.

>One could say just let the market forces take over and the "good"
>teachers will win out.  Get real - this is tango with little
>money-making involved for most people. (And how many potential people
>would be lost forever.)

The "little money making involved" transcends throughout all of dance.  Teachers that don't get it, don't realize they have a problem.  The teachers that received negative feed back and still don't change?  There are 2 choices. Hang in there until he becomes a good teacher or find another class.  Yes, it hurts all of dance when that happens.

Nobody starts off as a good or great instructor.  All new instructors usually learn thru the school of hard knocks.  I went thru a 6 week dance teachers training program. 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for the 6 week period.  We only learned steps. We were never told how to teach.  Of course the 2 different instructors that trained us both had less than 2 years experience.  They were step instructors not dance instructors. In the ballroom world there are workshops that instructors can and to learn how to teach.  I was a step instructor for my first 1 1/2 years of teaching before I came across a good instructor and learned from him.  Some never find or when they do find the information never figure it out.  Unfortunate facts of life.

Dance Forever


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Randy