Talking during dance lessons

[pygmalion]

I mean, teacher/student dialogue, here. How much is good? How much is too much? Do you think the teacher and student should just shut up and dance? Or is there a certain amount of verbal explanation that needs to happen? And what about personal/semi-personal conversation? Is there any place for that?

What do you think?

Oh yeah -- I'm talking about private lessons, but you can include/discuss group lessons, as well, if you like. 8)

 

[Chris Stratton]

I think talking is essential - there are too many areas where the necessary process to create something is non-intuitive enough that most people are unlikely to do it right simply after being lead or backlead through it. Very specific reflexes have to be developed, and getting the right ones will require some intent.

 

[twnkltoz]

I don't pay $1 a minute to dance with my instructor...I pay him to teach me, right? That means there's going to be some time where he's just talking (and demonstrating) and time where I try things by myself while he watches, and times where we're discussing (I have to verbalize things in my own way in order to integrate them). I may spend half of a lesson actually dancing with my instructor!

We do discuss non-lesson stuff from time to time (ie, what we did last night or something), but it doesn't take that much time away from the lesson and provides a little break.

 

[Sagitta]

Depends. I like dancing. You talk too much, no matter how essential it is and nothing will sink in as I get too antsy. Talk a bit and then move, and then maybe talk a bit and move...sounds alright though and has worked for me in the past.

 

[Kitty]

I assume the question is about proam lessons, as during lessons with a partnre I'd be danicng with my partner.

I think improving beyond newcomer level requires a lot of practice - at least 5 hours a week. SInce I can't afford to pay for 5 hours with a teacher, I'll spend a lot of the time during the lesson asking the teacher for homework... for stuff that I can practice on my own or with a partner.. so that means a lot of talking: at least half of the time spent talking.

 

[pygmalion]

I agree Kitty. Me too. I asked the question because I've heard people here talk about what a waster of time it is to talk during lessons, so I wanted some clarification -- how much time is a waste, and what kind of talking. 8)

 

[DancePoet]

To me verbal communciation during a lesson is a must. Can't imagine a dance lesson with out it.

 

[pygmalion]

I think a lot of people object to social conversation during lessons.

 

[Kitty]

depends on what the social conversation is about... like I had "social" (meaning, other than explanation of technique) conversation with a teacher about my last comp results...

I wanted to discuss that with a teacher, but didn't want to bother her outside of her paid time....

 

[dancin_feet]

My instructor and I talk quite often during lessons. If he's taking me through a new figure or working on technique, obviously that's where the priority is, but just getting in practice during warmup, etc we'll discuss anything and everything. Sometimes if we are deep in conversation he'll throw in a new step. If I follow OK we'll just keep going, if not, we'll stop and work on that.

I think it's nice to be able to have a private discussion with your instructor during a lesson. It makes you both feel a part of something rather than he is the teacher, you are the student, that's it. Considering the closeness that dancing involves, it's good to at least feel like the person cares, rather than just dances with you for the money.

 

[DancePoet]

I mean, teacher/student dialogue, here. How much is good?

Whatever it takes for the student to learn what they want to know.

How much is too much?

Seems to me it's better to over communicate then under communicate.

Do you think the teacher and student should just shut up and dance? Or is there a certain amount of verbal explanation that needs to happen?

To me verbal communciation during a lesson is a must. Can't imagine a dance lesson with out it.

And what about personal/semi-personal conversation? Is there any place for that?

Depends on the student. The student is paying, and the instructor should be able to provide appropriate customer service.

What do you think?

These are only my views. 8)

 

[DancePoet]

My instructor and I talk quite often during lessons. If he's taking me through a new figure or working on technique, obviously that's where the priority is, but just getting in practice during warmup, etc we'll discuss anything and everything. Sometimes if we are deep in conversation he'll throw in a new step. If I follow OK we'll just keep going, if not, we'll stop and work on that.

I think it's nice to be able to have a private discussion with your instructor during a lesson. It makes you both feel a part of something rather than he is the teacher, you are the student, that's it. Considering the closeness that dancing involves, it's good to at least feel like the person cares, rather than just dances with you for the money.

I'm totally with you on this! This is customer service!

 

[dTas]

the teacher is providing a service... trying to teach the student how to dance. there are a lot of aspects to this other than just moving the student around the floor.

i have had lessons with students where we only danced one dance at the beginning of the hour and the rest of the time was spent talking and working on her technique. giving her exercies and drills to do on her off time so the next time we're together we can dance more.

social talking (other than dance) is dependant on the student but whatever it takes to make the student comfortable with thier lesson. some people want to just get down to business and soak up as much info as possible. others feel that it is necessary to "connect" with whom they're learning from before they can trust the information being presented, or respect the person presenting the info.

as an instructor i just play it by ear and feel what is most satisfying to the student i'm with. i myself am more like the sponge type student. i want to absorb as much information as possible. i already respect the person i'm learning from or else i wouldn't have requested a coaching with them.

but i also tend to go out for drinks or dancing with the coach and other instructors at the end of the day so socializing is kept to a minimum until that time.

 

[mr bixx]

if i didnt talk with my students i would get bored. you can only tell teh students so many times what to do then its up to them. for me i make my lessons fun as can be. i am serous when we have to be,when i'm teaching, but otherwise i'm crazy. i talk talk talk and they talk talk talk. i nkow jsut about everything i can know about my students. i have a great report with them. i think thats why they like me some much. i personalize every students lessons according to them.

 

[leftfeetnyc]

I think part of retaining students involves connecting with them on a level other than dance. So yes, personal conversation is required.

The thing is, you don't have that personal conversation in the middle of instruction. I order to get to know students better, I've known instructors who will show up early and stick around after a class to chat. If the students have dance questions, he'll take them, if not it's a chance to connect on a different level.

I tend to take classes and privates from one instructor on a regular basis and occasional from others for variety. His teaching style works very well with my learning style and over the course of my (short) time dancing, I've gotten to know him very well and become friends with him. There is actually a small group (instructor and students) of us who have become close friends so that inside jokes carry over to class from e-mails we've sent around amoung the students and instructor. We have a clear understanding of what is class time and what is social time as it is a group of dancers that has been able, through social connections with our instructor, to become more informed, dedicated, and passionate about dance.

That personal connection adds an amazing dynamic to classes. We're all able to communicate about dance on a better understanding level because we know how to communicate with one another in general. The comradary also helps enhance our learning through the interaction we have student to student and student to instructor.