Thread: Class levels dilemma

I currently offer 4 levels of instruction, plus a repertory group.

Students spend 3 6-week sessions at each level before moving on, so they reach level 4 in about a year and can join the rep group after about 18 months.

This system has been working just fine, I've always had a lot of Level 1s who try the class but don't move on, and a few who trickle up through the level system.

But recently I seem to be getting more committed students who stick with it and roll through the levels, and I'm anticipating the level 4 class overflowing within a year.

The current level 4 students think I should create a level 5 just for them, but I think they're just being insular and resisting the new folk. Besides, I can't just keep adding levels forever! And it doesn't seem fair to keep moving the carrot further away from students who have a goal of joining the rep group, and the group really benefits from the new blood coming in periodically!

I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear suggestions from other teachers -- and students -- before I make a decision.

Ideas??

I think I can understand where your students are coming from. I'm in a similar group, and every fall, and sometimes again in January, we get an influx of newer people (which is great, because we always lose one or two regulars--babies, moves, etc.) and it keeps the group from dying out. Mostly, it's not a big deal, because it keeps us fresh, and I figure that review never hurts me. I usually realize that I've become sloppy on a couple of moves as the instructor is teaching them to the newbies. But, I've actually been wrestling with a sense of dissatisfaction and considering my options for the fall, because I'm starting to feel like I'm stagnating, and basically restarting the level every session is adding to that feeling.

I know that my growth as a dancer is my own responsibility, too, and I use DVDs and occasionally a workshop with another instructor to help with that. Plus, I'm taking tribal, as well, now, and that's still pretty fresh to me, but I'm starting to wish I could do something different on the cab side.

Last year, my instructor mused about adding a session for dancers who wanted to work on their own solo choreographies, with her feedback and assistance, and I think that would have been a great idea. In fact, I may ask her if she's considering that for this year.

Would adding something like that work for you, do you think--not instead of your Level 4 class, but in addition to it, for those Level 4s who want an additional challenge?

I think it should take more than 3-6 weeks to move up a level. I try to have my students take my basics class series which lasts 6 weeks at least 3 times before moving to a more intermediate class. the problem is that now I only have 2 people ready to move up. I wanted to do an intermediate class but I wanted to have at least 5 people in it. now I think i'm going to have to teach it for just those two because now i'm sure they are sick of taking basics over and over. i do give them more intermediate drills to do but that's not enough either.

the funny thing is that that's just the way I learned. my teacher doesn't have levels at all. she just tailors the class to whoever's in there that day. so if it's a bunch of beginners that's what we do. sometimes there were more intermediate level dancers and we would do more difficult drills. I progressed just fine. I also started taking alot of workshops and buying dvd as well tho.

I think you misread Lauren's post, she said:


"Students spend 3 6-week sessions at each level .... "

She requires 18 weeks of class to move to a different level.

I know several dancers that simply want to stay in level 1 or 2. They are comfortable there and have no desire to be challenged or move forward. Of course then there's the dedicated dancers that aspire to grow as much as possible. I think there's always room for everyone and all interests.

I like the idea of an additional challenge for your Level 4s, such as a 'solo choreogrpahy' course mentioned above.

But I also think you need to take into account your own capacity - i.e., do you have the time/energy/wherewithal (sp?) to develop another level or course. If yes, then go for it, because as your classes grow so will the expectation for another level. Or you could develop more 'specialist' courses like the 'solo choreography' example that run for 6 weeks each then get recycled every so often. So level 4s move into the top level cycle of classes, but there isn't an explicit Level 5 (therefore raising expectations of Levels 6-infintiy!)

If no - then I think this would be a good time to shepherd students to a more 'advanced' teacher than you (did that sound right? Didn't mean to imply you're not a good teacher, I'm sure you are - more that there might be another teacher locally teaching at the next level up <...wrangles foot from mouth before more damage done...>)

Yup, these are the thoughts I'm having.

My level 4 class is currently mostly choreo, I constantly develop new stuff for htem, and believe me, they're challenged! So that's not the problem. But I am thinking of offering a 4b class that would be solo skills, technique, and maybe folk dances and letting the students float between the two classes each session at will so they're not all in the same space every session.

I'm also thinking of increasing the time spent in each level from 3 sessions to 4 (24 weeks) just to slow things down a bit.

And adding a drills/technique class for those who really aren't interested in moving to performance levels (as well as those who just want to do drills/technique).

I'd be happy to refer my students 'up' but so far they don't want to go. Partly because of distance, but mostly because they're hobbyists doing this for fun, they want to be with the friends they've made over the years in a familiar place where they know they'll have fun more than they want more advanced instruction.

I have a suggestion which is a 'retake' on what has already been suggested here. Your 4b class could consist of 6 weeks based on your current enthusiasm and development needs of the class. If you think of all the best workshops you've attended and then do 6 weeks of work on that subject. I think this class may reward and develop you as a teacher, as well as keeping the top students busy. I like that you pitch it as a 'supplemental' to class 4. If you have enough topics there will never be a need to have a class 5,6 or 7. I can see it now "entrances & exits", "devise your own solo", "dancing with a drummer", or even "preparing for the local fayre", "preparing for competition"...

Wow, what a great problem to have - too many advancing students! I'm not sure if this suggestion would work for yoru studio, because it sounds like you might end up with too crowded classes, but anyways...One way you could keep the level 4 class interesting and still integrate new students into it, would be to spend half the class on technique and half on an advanced element, like prop-work, choreo, improvisation exercises, learning drum rhythms, learning specific dance styles, etc etc. So that every session (or term) caters for both drills and something new. As there are so many of these various elements, and you'd only do one per session, it should give the students who've been there a while lots of variety.

You could even use this approach at your level 3, to expand the time they spend at that level.

I teach two mixed level classes, and although I don't have enough room in my schedule to accommodate doing an intermediate/advanced class, I probably have some students that could handle it. What I do to compensate somewhat is offer "advanced topics" type workshops every few months so that the more experienced dancers have stuff to work on and practice in addition to the things we work on in the mixed level classes. Perhaps you could use a similar strategy? In any case, if you give it a shot and it doesn't work you could probably discontinue a workshop series with fewer repercussions than you could discontinue a class.

Cool ideas.

Just reiterating -- my problem isn't with keeping the students challenged. My level 4s are on the verge of lynching me for challenging them too much at the moment.

My problem is a lack of physical space and/or not wanting giant classes at this level.

Level 4 has been at 8-12 students for the past year. Now it's at about 15, which is workable -- but I have another 16 students on their way up.

p.s. And I agree, it's a GREAT problem to have!!! I'm not complaining for a second, just trying to anticipate and head off a potential problem.

I like the idea of keeping them at level 2 or 3 longer. Splitting the level 4s into different "streams" sounds like a good idea too....unless of course, they ALL end up in each class! LOL!

Maybe you could have two identical level 4 classes on different days/times and only allow the students to sign up for one. It would be more time for you, but if its the same cirriculum it wouldn't be much extra work, and you could keep the classes small.

Oh, that's another really good idea! I could do that!

Originally Posted by txchic

I think you misread Lauren's post, she said:


"Students spend 3 6-week sessions at each level .... "

She requires 18 weeks of class to move to a different level.

I know several dancers that simply want to stay in level 1 or 2. They are comfortable there and have no desire to be challenged or move forward. Of course then there's the dedicated dancers that aspire to grow as much as possible. I think there's always room for everyone and all interests.

My Bad. I did misread. That sounds about right

havent read the rest of the replies, but here is my system

- beginners: you take once
- beginners plus: you take once or twice
- ongoing: you stay there for a year
- intermediate: you stay there for a year, or two, or three, or ....

and from then on it changes depending on how many i have, i might split them up in lower and upper intermediate, and i have an invitation only advanced class and troupe.

when i want to mix up existing groups (read: get people to accept new students in their clique), i offer "themed classes" and workshops; they are intermediate/advanced mixed, with stuff i think would interest all students, like a series on props, or solo choreo, or "classical songs"; also my summer classes are mixed level, and they turned out to be a great way for my intermediates and advanced to mingle with and accept the new comers.

Aaa cant help you as I have a total different system in classes.
But you may take some ideas.

Basic Arabic: 1st year (last year had 4 groups of them)
Arabic I hobby: second year for the people that want to dance for hobby (1 group)
Arabic I dance: second year for the ones that are passioned and want to move on (1 group)
Arabic II hobby: third year for the hobbyists (1 group)
Arabic II dance; third year for the passioned ones (1 group)
Arabic III: fourth year for the passioned ones (the bobbyists quit, or stay at arabic II hobby class, or joing the Arabic III if they want, and work hard) (1 group)
Arabic IIII: fifth year now most are dancing or very passioned traveling at Cairo for workshops etc (1 group)
Arabic IIII: sixth year, this will be my first year with this level, most are almost professionals or crazy obsesed with oriental dance lol (1 group)
I will have a year with 11 classes 9 of them 1 hour and half, 2 of them 2 hours in the week.
Al levels attend once per month the theory afternoon, video, history of dance, costume history, basic arabic language, arabic cooking, etc

So I run the classes by year's from October to June, summer is all vacations, workshops and privite classes;)


Maria Aya, Greece

Lauren,

I'm still a student so I'm just going to give you a different perspective. My teacher's studio is always busting at the seams. She's been teaching all of her classes for years, but she's opening a new studio soon and giving some of her advanced students the opportunity to teach certain classes.

This is her class schedule:

Level I - Four months of basic moves
Level II - Six months of beginner/intermediate level material
Level III - Six months of intermediate material
Level IV - Six months of intermediate/advanced material
Master Level 1 & 2 - advanced levels, lasts six months, but can be repeated with new material

The stable itinerary keeps serious students coming back. She also coordinates student recitals with the end of a level, so it's like a graduation gift. We all perform knowing that when we return to the studio, we're moving up one level. She takes about three weeks off in between.

Students can repeat any of the levels if they missed too many classes. And she does keep track of assistance.

She also offers workshops throughout the year (i.e. sword balancing, ballet for bellydancers, bollywood, turkish, burlesque, etc...), and she incorporates ballet into her weekly classes. These workshops require a higher-level of commitment and advance payment since she can't risk her business. Plus, troupe members must come to rehearsals and a master level class once a week (she has four troupes!).

I think this system makes it easy for those who want to progress. We know what's expected of us if we want to belong to a troupe. And she won't change her course outline because of student complains.

Maybe the reason why we don't forget the earlier stuff is that she throws it in every few weeks. She'll say, "Remember this move," and then shows us. Minutes later, she's layering it with a new move so everything gets recycled.

I agree that adding more levels will frustrate some. Maybe it's a matter of re-structuring the 18-month rep group into chunks and calling it something different so that it's still attainable.

Just a suggestion...

Thanks for all the input, everyone. This was really helpful, and I'm getting lots of useful ideas for now and in the future.

Right now, I'm going to:
- extend each level to require 4 sessions (which means creating a session's worth of new material at each level!)
- Add a 4b 'Special Topics' class with revolving material each session
- Revise HOW I promote levels (there will be a thread on this soon)

In the future, I may extend levels 2 and 3 beyond the 4-session requirement, but that will have to happen gradually.

Bhuz makes me a better teacher!

I like how you have 4 different levels. Do you require a tryout to go to the next level or do they automatically go up? I like my teacher but I wished she did 3 levels instead of just two because sometimes there is such a huge learning gap and I think some of the beginners get tired of being beginners and move to other teachers.

Right now they automatically go up, but I'm getting ready to start a thread on that topic.

When I had a full time job, I could only have two levels. I'm very fortunate now that I have my own studio and can devote the time to have so many levels. Most teachers can't spend as many hours a week on teaching as I can and have to manage with only two or three classes.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I currently offer 4 levels of instruction, plus a repertory group.

Students spend 3 6-week sessions at each level before moving on, so they reach level 4 in about a year and can join the rep group after about 18 months.

i may be off topic (sorry) but i'm gonna be moving to the states soon and this seems to be a BIG difference with italy.
in italy classes start in september and end in june... that's only ONE level for us... some of my students stay at level 1 for at least 2 years...

are 6-week sessions common in the united states?

I would say, if nothing else, it's time to raise your prices. You aren't hurting for students...so I'd raise the fees a bit.

Originally Posted by loribelly

i may be off topic (sorry) but i'm gonna be moving to the states soon and this seems to be a BIG difference with italy.
in italy classes start in september and end in june... that's only ONE level for us... some of my students stay at level 1 for at least 2 years...

are 6-week sessions common in the united states?

Yes, classes usually fall with the seasons around here, with some sessions being longer and some shorter. Right now I am teaching a 12 week class for summer, but the spring class was only 8-9 weeks. There are usually 1-2 week breaks in between. Every studio is different, but since I live in a college-y area the sessions seem to match up with the school semesters. I had a 24 week session once and I thought I was going to die!

I would be interested to see a new thread on this topic.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

I would say, if nothing else, it's time to raise your prices. You aren't hurting for students...so I'd raise the fees a bit.

I would agree with this - especially for your upper level students, considering how much work you put into their class material. I think this has come up before; when demand begins to outweigh supply, it's a good time to consider charging more.

BTW, Lauren, I've been meaning to ask. Have you seen a surge of interest in beginner classes since that awesome article in the paper appeared?