Thread: I need another name for 'workshop'

I want to put on workshops for my level 2 students. They'd be two hour classes on subjects such as putting together your first dance, learning to improvise, dancing with a veil etc. But I find that a lot of them don't know what a workshop is. Established dancers are used to the term but newer students think they're going to have to sit down and discuss things rather than getting to dance.

So I was wondering if it would help to call them something different. I thought of 'in-depth classes' or 'specialist classes' but they sounded intimidating too.

Any ideas?

It's not like you to be at a loss for words!

Ummm... Sessions? Special Skills Classes?

Ah, it's lovely having you back Bea, I've missed you

themed class (not sure what that would be in english)

intensive class

advanced class

weekend class

extra session

optional class

Seminar? No that sounds even more like sitting in a lecture.

Lab?

Special skills session?

Breakout session?

Specialty class?

Or how about calling it what it is, a workshop, and adding a brief description on the topics taught, emphasizing that there will be lots of dancing.

Masterclass? I like Speciality Class too.

I think any of the terms can sound a bit intimidating - words like intensive, advanced used to freak me out when I was learning. "I'm not advanced enough to go to an advanced class!" - when really I should have just gone to anything and everything I could...g.: Maybe it'll just take encouragement and a bit of background info, regardless as to what you actually call the class.

How about Playshop: Improve Your Belly Dance Skills and Have Fun Doing It!

What about just keeping the term workshop, explaining what it means and introducing them to it early?

Originally Posted by rachelw

What about just keeping the term workshop, explaining what it means and introducing them to it early?

This gets my vote too--might as well use the au courant term, no? If you substitute a different term that means the same thing as "workshop", then won't your students get blank looks when they use it to describe, well, a workshop?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Seminar? No that sounds even more like sitting in a lecture.

Lab?

Special skills session?

Breakout session?

I have monthly reoccurring breakout sessions ... usually hormone related
(but you probably don't means those)


I actually like something along the line of in-dept sessions, it doesn't sound intimidating to me.
In-dept instruction on a specific topic to me means people will be there because they want to learn (more)
about it and don't feel they know enough about it yet. Everybody will be there to learn.

seminar
intensive
master class
specialty class

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Seminar? No that sounds even more like sitting in a lecture.

Lab?

Special skills session?

Breakout session?

I like using the term "Lab" b/c it alludes to executing concepts, theories, etc. with action...

Also, how 'bout anything with an "In Depth" attached to it. For example, In Depth Session or Bellydance In Depth Lab ...?

level 2 elective classes

level 2 special subjects

level 2 pre-professional subjects

level 2 special curriculum

level 2 special courses

[adding level 2 in the class name will let them know it is not too advanced]

focus session?

How about "Special Topics Class" - makes you feel special!

Tutorial? or if you feel they need a clue that it will be active how about Practical Workshop

I also like the suggestion of 'Seminar' and 'Focus Session/Class'

I like the word (Artemisia_Danst) used - Intensive
But then Focus, suggested by (NandaDncer) is really good too

thanks so much for your ideas and input guys. I'm playing with a few of these and seeing which ones hold. I like the idea of the word 'special' and I take on board what people say about keeping the word workshop so students get used to the word. I think I'll put workshop somewhere in the supporting blurb so that they start to associate whatever I call them with the word workshop.

Level 2 Additional Specialised Workshops?
Too much of a mouthful? How about ASW?..l;,

Special Breakthrough Workshop?

Dance-tank (vs. think tank)