Thread: Students: What do you want/need?

Spin-off inspired by my angry student!
Think back to your early days, what would you look for in a beginner/intermediate class?
What essential components do you think a competent teacher should include in her/his class?
What support & considerations do you think beginning students need?
Thoughts?

I know that I needed to be told a)what I was doing right b)what I was doing wrong and c) that it takes time and practice.

It was also nice to hear that some moves on me were going to look a little different then on the 115 pounder next to me. I also love the drilling section when the teach comes around and looks at what you are doing and gives personal advise for those that need it.

I wish my teachers would have told us WHY they're doing what they're doing.

For example, WHY are you having us do that yoga cat/cow thing in class? Or, WHY are you having us stand in place doing those figure 8's over and over and over and over? (Yes, I know the answers to those questions today, but there was a time when I didn't.)

In other words, don't just expect me to imitate you. Help me learn WHY this thing you're having us do is worth doing so I can use it appropriately when I practice outside of class.

Reassurance:
I think the most important thing for me was to be told that it would take time, that I was getting it or _would_ get it, and that it's okay to start small and work up to having bigger motions. I really needed a ton of reassurance when I first started.

I also liked that my very first teacher started out the first class by showing us isolations with every body part (hands, shoulders/arms, chest, hips) - it made me feel like I learned a lot - and yet they were all things I could remember to practice at home...these were just basic building blocks, not real dance movements - hip slides, chest slides, etc. But I wanted something to take home and practice. I became obsessed right away. It was good to have some digestible bits to take home.

What I didn't like in other beginner classes were teachers who just started dancing - I couldn't follow along and felt stupid and clumsy. I know some people like it when it's just follow the bouncing butt, but when I started, I really needed the technique and the breakdown of the movements.

A music CD and musical recommendations - the first thing I did was run out and buy music. I bought some BAD music, not knowing what to get.

- Being able to explain things using at least 2-3 different explanations can be very helpful. Some people learn better when the musculature is discussed. Some prefer mental images (goldfish in a bowl!). Some need both.

- Sometimes students really don't know exactly what they are asking! They say "I don't understand this move" when they might really mean "I don't understand this transition!"

- Patience is great to have

- Please tell us what is right, wrong, and "well yes you can do it that way but I'd like you to do it this way for the choreography" (sometimes it's not a right/wrong move). This goes for the advanced students too!

- Be open to your students who may prefer styles not to your tastes (you can tell your industrial fusion student that it's not your thing, but you can still give them the basic vocabulary - who knows, they may turn into a sparkly cabaret dancer later!)

- Ooh, and ditto on the music recommendations! My first class I got a class CD, with music all the different levels were using that year, and the track listing showed the song name, artist, and sometimes the album. Choreography notes also listed the song name and artist. This made it so much easier to find the original CD and additional great songs by the artist!

Feedback! Please tell me when I'm doing something right, and when I'm doing something wrong!

Tell us what's going on in the area, where we can watch more dancers or possibly attend workshops, anything where we can gain more knowledge of this wonderful artform.

More information on costumes. I've purchased some foolish things and only with time have I found what is the best style for me.

Recommendations for DVD's, CD's, stuff to inspire us at home.

Edna

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I wish my teachers would have told us WHY they're doing what they're doing.

Yes yes yes!!!! We had a little conflict in class cause I did not understand why she wanted me to do something in which I could not do and was fearful of acquiring incorrect muscle memory. I Sat down in the middle of class in protest and frustration. Which finally lead me to the answer, but if she had explained why ahead of time it could of saved us both a lot of frustration.....

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I wish my teachers would have told us WHY they're doing what they're doing.

For example, WHY are you having us do that yoga cat/cow thing in class? Or, WHY are you having us stand in place doing those figure 8's over and over and over and over? (Yes, I know the answers to those questions today, but there was a time when I didn't.)

In other words, don't just expect me to imitate you. Help me learn WHY this thing you're having us do is worth doing so I can use it appropriately when I practice outside of class.

I'm a huge why person! LOL. In companion teacher's thread I was going to include a rationale statement for each component of my class.
Q: Why do we play finger cymbals? A: 2 reasons! 1-its an essential feature of a well-rounded belly dancer, but more importantly in our beginner's class-it helps build a deeper understanding of arabic music & rhythm in particular. Undertsanding the structure and sound of music can help us increase our musicality in dance.
Q: Why do we do muscle conditioning? A: Many students are looking for a fun way to get fit. Adding muscle conditioning increases our fitness experience, it builds a deeper awareness of our body & the mechanics of movement, & it helps keep up safe while dancing.
Q: Why do we learn choreography? A: We learn choreography so that students can apply the individual techniques in a structured format. You can take your routine home & show your friends! Choreography also helps form new neural connections--its like brain gym. We add improvisation so that students can explore technique & musicality on a more individually expressive level. Improvisation challenges us to step outside our comfort zone & realize our voice as movers....

Originally Posted by SirenoftheSun

Feedback! Please tell me when I'm doing something right, and when I'm doing something wrong!

Tell us what's going on in the area, where we can watch more dancers or possibly attend workshops, anything where we can gain more knowledge of this wonderful artform.

More information on costumes. I've purchased some foolish things and only with time have I found what is the best style for me.

Recommendations for DVD's, CD's, stuff to inspire us at home.

Edna

Oh good ones! I distribute a "Welcome to Belly Dance" handout at the first class with music recommendations, good websites & local resources for costuming & regular events. I also have a yahoo group for students to network. I periodically upload new music, make choreography notes available, have links to other websites & have an events calendar which includes information for classes with other teachers in the area.

-I love stories where people tell you how hard it was for them. Not like pity stories, but sometimes I feel like it's good to hear hardwork got people where they are.

-I need someone to correct posture more rigidly. I feel like teachers are afraid to be strict, so they're a little more relaxed with it.

-Learn about music! I found music on my own or through Bhuz and learned more about it through those means. I wish I had learned in class.

-For intermediate, I'd like more explanation about choosing the moves for the music.

-Show me good examples of performances.

critique! already said a bunch of times but it bears repeating! most students appreciate being corrected.

related to shira's 'why' post, throwing in historical/cultural tidbits and personal stories made the dance more 'real' for me.

also, my original instructor only played ME music in class, even explained basic rhythms in beginner level classes. this was extremely helpful to getting my western ear used to that exotic music!

Originally Posted by indigostars

-Show me good examples of performances.

yes! i had seen bellydance once before i started classes, so i had no idea what a performance looked like for months after i started taking lessons! it was difficult to try and put specific movements in the context of dance without begging my instructor to 'dance it'!

Originally Posted by indigostars

-I love stories where people tell you how hard it was for them. Not like pity stories, but sometimes I feel like it's good to hear hardwork got people where they are.

I love it when my teacher talks about this. She leaves me in a state of awe everytime I see her dance. Then she tells the class that she was one of the slow ones in class. It took her three times as long to learn the moves as everyone else when she started. Hear that and then seeing her dance gives me hope!

Posture! I want correct posture drilled into me. I want to be told to pull my bum in and keep my back straight and my shoulders back. I want to be told whenever I slip out of posture (bit unrealistic in a big class, but I'd really like it!) so I know what it feels like.

I also think it's great (as a previous poster mentioned), when the teacher "demonstrates" moves with different body types. I have really long arms, it's hard to know what to do with them, and some movements just look different on me. I had a teacher who explained that moves and postures look different (and showed me when my long arms would be an advantage).

I have an teacher evaluation form I make them fill out the last day of class so I can know how I'm doing.

Originally Posted by AngelaDiCaprio

Yes yes yes!!!! We had a little conflict in class cause I did not understand why she wanted me to do something in which I could not do and was fearful of acquiring incorrect muscle memory. I Sat down in the middle of class in protest and frustration. Which finally lead me to the answer, but if she had explained why ahead of time it could of saved us both a lot of frustration.....

Before you sat down in the middle of an ongoing class, were you proactive in communicating your concerns and asking the teacher for an explanation, in class, after class, or via email? Just curious.


Khalida

I am looking for structure and continuity in a class. I want to know that if I buy zills, veils, sword and so on, that they are going to be used for more than one class. Having said that, if it's an intro to props for 1 class only, please have enough to pass around. If it is going to become ongoing, please let me know so I don't waste my money.

Feedback, I want it.
Drama, I don't.
Why, definitely!

I think structure. Don't start teaching something then switch midstream. Show the big picture. Many people enter class not ever seeing a belly dancer. I had no idea what I was in for.

Keeping me safe and teaching good posture. Correct the little things before they beocme bad habits.

Very good suggestions. Here's one of my dreaded (but brief, I promise!) stories:

I recently started with a new instructor. I went to her "Level 3/Intermediate)" class as I was an "Intermediate/Advanced" student with my old instructor, been dancing for 7-1/2 years, blah, blah.

WAY. WRONG. ANSWER. (!)

I got my hipscarf handed to me on a platter! This class was SO VERY incredibly over my head that it wasn't funny. Layering on a level that I never even DREAMED existed, blah, blah.

Afterwards, I told her "OBVIOUSLY..." - so now I'm in her "Level 2/advanced beginner" class. This one works - she starts with something I can do, and gradually ramps it up from there till its usually something I can't do or even "you have GOT to be kidding me!" This means I'm at the correct level.

BUT

Because I went and flailed around in the level 3 class, I *TOTALLY* grok why she's teaching the "what/how" in her level 2 class. I wouldn't have had this understanding otherwise.

So this totally underscores what Shira says - tell us "WHY"!

The other one is feedback, feedback, feedback. Having done some dance teaching myself (another form), I understand completely the fine line a teacher needs to walk on this subject, esp. with beginners. I love my new teacher because she comes around and tweaks in class!

My teacher ended every class with veil. That way everyone felt graceful before they left. I mean - everyone loves to see the veils float around.

as a student, this is what i wish teachers would do:

- don't take on huge classes! you can't possibly watch over and correct everyone, plus most of the students will neither be able to see what you are doing, nor see themselves in the mirror. that just leads to learning wrong wrong things...

- don't just do moves and expect us to guess at what exactly is being done. show a move to us at different speeds, from different angles, explain how you're doing it (explaining in several different ways (muscular/imagery) is great)

- the point of "explain WHY" is very good. it gives a level of understanding and therefore helps the students to do the thing more right

- during a class, make us repeat things that need to be worked on, but also include something new often enough for the students not to get bored. be it a new move, introducing a prop, a combo....
-i like learning a choreography, adding a bit more at every class or so, so that at the end of the year/session i have something i can be happy with, that'll help me practice (god knows some moves i'd have long forgotten existed if they weren't in my choreo), and to show people when parents etc want to see... also, choreos show us different ways to use the same move, changing little details that affect the way the move looks and all...
-also, teach us improv!

- teach us the "theory"!! different rhythms, names of moves and such...

- constant reminders about posture, yes ^^ when concentrating on the move we tend to forget the rest...

- give us sources for music, names of great dancers, costuming advice etc.... it's especially hard for beginners to know what's out there, what's good and what isn't, and so on...

I think all the suggestions here are wonderful!!! I feel as if I'm looking at a really skewed sample of students, though. Bear with me, I mean this in a good way! Students who actively seek out and utilize a resource like Bhuz are already demonstrating a high level of interest, dedication, motivation, etc. beyond just popping in on a once-a-week class. I hope and wish that the majority of my students really do want things like critique, the "why" of what we do, etc.

I agree with Kathiya - don't take on huge classes! That always gave me the impression that the teacher was more interested in making more money than she was in providing quality instruction and a comfortable learning environment to each student.

I had one particular Level 1 teacher who was a hawk about making sure that we always had pretty arms. Even when we were just doing warmups, we had to pay attention to keeping energy in our arms, and having them in nice positions, even if it was something as simple as just down and framing the hips. That was a HUGE help to me in getting these arm positions into my muscle memory, so that when I improvise, I don't have to think so much about where I put my arms, they just know where to go. I think they're a lot less sloppy than they used to be.

I'm glad that my first Level 1 teacher started us on zills right away.

I agree that reassurance is good, too. I'm my own worst critic--I'll beat myself up in my head if I don't get a voice of reason stepping in to remind me that these things take time, and to let me know if I'm at least on the right track.

When I started practicing with my instructor and a couple of other more advanced students in a nonclassroom setting it made a huge difference to see different body types doing the same move.

I have wide hips and a woman with slim hips was practicing hip figure 8s with me. She thought my hips were going out much farther than hers and I explained that I was pretty flexible but the main difference was in our shapes. She still didn't quite believe me until she saw another woman dance whose hips were neither wide nor slim.

I wish we could learn to identify what kind of beat is in the music, and after the basics, string the movements together.

I also wish we had mirrors. I can see why we don't but it would be helpful to see before the correction and what it looks like after.

Overall I am satisfied with my class and since it is an intro (which I keep taking over and over because it's the only night of the week I can come) the instructor covers a lot of ground. Most ladies if not all that are there are just there to have fun and get some exercise.

She knows me by now and takes time to try and give me pointers as I improve. Bless her for that!

I am saving up for a private lesson so I think that will make up for lost time

A teacher who finishes what she starts. Too often I have heard from other students (and my own experience as well) that as they advance on and get to the point of being "finished" the instructor backs off and in fact regresses. I hate to say this but sometimes I think it's a ploy to "extort" payment for unnecessary classes, so they don't lose money.

And then there are other instructors who have so much integrity and devotion that they do just that - finish up what was started and seeing it through all the way.

I like to know why my teacher does certain moves to particular changes in music. I like to know how they interpret the music, how they translate music into moves.
I really appreciate when teacher gives me "homework" be it working on a move or doing research on dance style, and follows up on it.

As a lapsed student, I can say that I liked to have something to work toward--some performance or group choreo we can do in class. Even though I am all about the improv, learning choreo in class has given me a great window into new ways to do things, given me new combos, helped me understand the structure of a musical piece, etc.

What a great thread!

I've been reading it as a teacher (and as someone in the middle of writing a book for teachers!) but I'm trying to think back to my baby dancer days....

I needed verbal instruction. I just couldn't learn without words. Showing isn't teaching.

I needed to feel that I was moving forward and learning new things.

I needed mirrors.

I needed reassurance that I was doing it right (eye contact and a nod in the mirror is fine) and help if I was struggling.

I needed goals. A choreo to learn, a show to get ready for, a troupe to qualify for...

So funny --- I'm realizing how much the structure of my own classes is designed to correct my own baby-dancer issues.