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Thread: Teaching - pet hates

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    Teaching - pet hates

    Inspired by Gus with the how to improve teaching thread...

    Thinking about the other side... what makes you cringe... about teachers teaching...

    For me...

    1/ Lack of ability to control the rotation
    2/ Talking non stop
    3/ Childlike voice
    4/ "your on your own"
    5/ "watching you"
    6/ A demo partner who does not smile or connect with the customers
    7/ no show before go, trying to teach the move without showing the end result
    8/ No clear introduction to how the evening will go
    9/ monotone, voice the same pitch and volume thoughout, so when you say, rotate, I do not hear you, coz, I have switched off.
    10/ A long, boring talk about up and coming events, which are all on the front desk anyway

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    3/ Childlike voice
    I saw a teacher who was a bit like this recently. He kept stopping his teaching to turn the night into a childish panto. Too much clapping, frequently followed by the line "I know you can all clap much louer than that. Let's have another go 'give yourselves a round of applause' "

    Over the weekend I was told by a dancer I bumped into that he'd been to a lesson where the teacher kept grabbing his demo's breast as part of the move. The last time I saw this guy teach (like a fool, I was paying him ) one of the things I didn't like was that his demo never smiled - now I know why!

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    Commercial Operator Sugarfoot's Avatar
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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    Inspired by Gus with the how to improve teaching thread...

    Thinking about the other side... what makes you cringe... about teachers teaching...

    For me...

    1/ Lack of ability to control the rotation
    2/ Talking non stop
    3/ Childlike voice
    4/ "your on your own"
    5/ "watching you"
    6/ A demo partner who does not smile or connect with the customers
    7/ no show before go, trying to teach the move without showing the end result
    8/ No clear introduction to how the evening will go
    9/ monotone, voice the same pitch and volume thoughout, so when you say, rotate, I do not hear you, coz, I have switched off.
    10/ A long, boring talk about up and coming events, which are all on the front desk anyway
    Agree with all except no 4. towards the end of the class teachers should be able to briefly watch to see how the class is going and maybe go over problem areas. This als stops the ladies looing at the stage instead of following the lead.

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    Inspired by Gus with the how to improve teaching thread...

    Thinking about the other side... what makes you cringe... about teachers teaching...

    For me...

    1/ Lack of ability to control the rotation
    2/ Talking non stop
    3/ Childlike voice
    4/ "your on your own"
    5/ "watching you"
    6/ A demo partner who does not smile or connect with the customers
    7/ no show before go, trying to teach the move without showing the end result
    8/ No clear introduction to how the evening will go
    9/ monotone, voice the same pitch and volume thoughout, so when you say, rotate, I do not hear you, coz, I have switched off.
    10/ A long, boring talk about up and coming events, which are all on the front desk anyway
    Can I make a suggestion? Reading a whole thread on everyone's contradictory pet hates can be depressing and down putting for a teacher. I think if people want pets they should get a small domestic animal. If you turn it around teachers will feel hopefully inspired instead of worried about everything they are doing wrong:

    For example, what you might love in a great teacher:

    1. ability to control rotation
    2. Knowing when to stop talking
    3. a muture, respectful voice
    4. saying 'I'm with you!"
    5. "watch me!"
    6. A partner who smiles and connects with customers
    7. showing the move before with the end result
    8. Giving a clear introduction of how the evening will go
    9. A varied and intersting tone of voice that is easy to listen to
    10. An exciting yet short reminder of upcoming events, helped along by a well laid out flyer table.


    I know its fun to complain, and hippocrittical to complain about complaining, but, we could create a bitch-fest thread or a valuable resource for teachers. Please don't report it to the authorities. They will revoke my citizenship. And please don't correct my spelling of hippocritical.

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    Ceroc N.I. Franchise Owner drathzel's Avatar
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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    1. not entirely the teacers fault. theres always someone who goes the wrong way or stops to early

    4. i always say "carry on dancing and have a great night" or something similar

    7. In beginners i show the moves individually before i teach each. I dont demo the whole routine as i will sometimes drop a move or change something when the level of the class dictates. I always demo the intermed routine

    10. some people dont look at the front desk. But i normally try and limit what i announce to 3-4 pieces of info (inc taxis etc)

    I like the teachers teaching me to be enthusiastic about what they are teaching me, not just going through the moves.

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves

    Here is what I love about some teachers:

    1. a lot of energy in their voice. (like Simon Borland)
    2. lots of technique in a fun and interesting way as well as great moves (Kyle and Sarah)
    3. Giving time during the class to practice what they are teaching (most tango teachers)
    4. Counting the music on the right beat and at the right time. (Catriona)
    5. Consistently demonstrating the same thing.
    6. Organizing the class so the rotation works (Most Ceroc Teachers)
    7. Using great metaphores and good jokes (Robert Royston)
    8. Using great music in the class
    9. Choosing and adapting suitable material
    10. Making sure there is more time spent dancing than talking.

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    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir View Post
    Can I make a suggestion? Reading a whole thread on everyone's contradictory pet hates can be depressing and down putting for a teacher. I think if people want pets they should get a small domestic animal. If you turn it around teachers will feel hopefully inspired instead of worried about everything they are doing wrong:
    There are many many threads about "What makes a good teacher" - for example:


    Might be better to revive one of these, rather than to twist this one to "Pet loves" - also, that title could be, err, misinterpreted.

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    Registered User Feelingpink's Avatar
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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    ...

    Might be better to revive one of these, rather than to twist this one to "Pet loves" - also, that title could be, err, misinterpreted.
    No DJ, it's just you.

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    ...

    Might be better to revive one of these, ....
    You are right. Lets stick with pet hates.

    Mine is moderators who always know of a better place you should have posted!

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir View Post
    Here is what I love about some teachers:

    1. a lot of energy in their voice. (like Simon Borland)
    2. lots of technique in a fun and interesting way as well as great moves (Kyle and Sarah)
    3. Giving time during the class to practice what they are teaching (most tango teachers)
    4. Counting the music on the right beat and at the right time. (Catriona)
    5. Consistently demonstrating the same thing.
    6. Organizing the class so the rotation works (Most Ceroc Teachers)
    7. Using great metaphores and good jokes (Robert Royston)
    8. Using great music in the class
    9. Choosing and adapting suitable material
    10. Making sure there is more time spent dancing than talking.
    So you turned it around.... so Gus,, here it is.... I went for the baddies, Amir, went for the goodies,,,,, take the goodies on board,,, and go for it


    to all the goodies Amir said

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Sugarfoot View Post
    Agree with all except no 4. towards the end of the class teachers should be able to briefly watch to see how the class is going and maybe go over problem areas. This als stops the ladies looing at the stage instead of following the lead.
    I never ever want to hear number 4...


    "You are on your own" to a total beginner ... no they are supported.


    If you do nothing else Sugarfoot.... drop "you are on your own"


    ahhhh

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Martin View Post
    I never ever want to hear number 4...


    "You are on your own" to a total beginner ... no they are supported.


    If you do nothing else Sugarfoot.... drop "you are on your own"


    ahhhh
    Ah...if you read my post it should have been no 5 not 4 (watching you). But actually I am with Amir on all this negative stuff. It's all a load of no 2.

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Your Lady...

    raise your hand to turn your lady... etc..

    AHH

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    Re: Teaching - pet hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Jamie View Post
    Your Lady...

    raise your hand to turn your lady... etc..

    AHH
    apparently we belong to the men at a dance class!!!

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir View Post
    Here is what I love about some teachers:

    1. a lot of energy in their voice. (like Simon Borland)
    funny you should mention that example, I only went to one of his class and hated it because I felt I was being shouted at. Might have been an issue with the volume of the microphone, but still it was particularly unpleasant.

    The thing I like the most about some teachers is when they teach you what in the move makes it leadable and followable. In order words, my pet hate is teachers who teach a sequence of actions / steps without explaining the technique behind it that makes it work.

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves/hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Caro View Post
    The thing I like the most about some teachers is when they teach you what in the move makes it leadable and followable. In order words, my pet hate is teachers who teach a sequence of actions / steps without explaining the technique behind it that makes it work.


    This is one thing that really bugs me. I've been to lessons where the male teacher teaches the guys how to do the move and uses the female teacher as their demo. And then the female teacher tells the women how to do the move and the male teacher is the demo. The women get taught in exctly the same way as the men and are told when to step forward when to pivot, turn, etc. You end up with a group of ladies who anticipate every move

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves

    Quote Originally Posted by Caro View Post
    funny you should mention that example, I only went to one of his class and hated it because I felt I was being shouted at. Might have been an issue with the volume of the microphone, but still it was particularly unpleasant.
    I agree if the volume is wrong on the mike a loud voice is aweful. It is hard to know sometimes how your voice is sounding to everyone else. I try to go stand out in front so I can hear myself, and if someone else has set my volume for me (at weekenders etc) I almost always have to turn it down for it to be comfortable - and I don't even talk that loud. When I remember I ask people at the back if they can hear me clearly.

    Quote Originally Posted by Caro View Post
    The thing I like the most about some teachers is when they teach you what in the move makes it leadable and followable. In order words, my pet hate is teachers who teach a sequence of actions / steps without explaining the technique behind it that makes it work.
    yeah! Forgot that one! It makes such a difference when the teacher has had experience leading the move socially and can tell you what will make it work and what won't. The best teachers I think have more than one answer, since they dance with more than one person. Followers should be told what they are looking out for, what they should be following.

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir View Post
    Followers should be told what they are looking out for, what they should be following.
    that's exactly my point. I have no interest in knowing the name of the move (I never remember anyway), or that I need to pivot on 2. The only bit I want to know as a follow is what in the lead (what my partner is doing) tells me that I need to pivot on 2.

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    Re: Teaching - pet loves

    Quote Originally Posted by Amir View Post
    Here is what I love about some teachers:

    1. a lot of energy in their voice. (like Simon Borland)
    2. lots of technique in a fun and interesting way as well as great moves (Kyle and Sarah)
    3. Giving time during the class to practice what they are teaching (most tango teachers)
    4. Counting the music on the right beat and at the right time. (Catriona)
    5. Consistently demonstrating the same thing.
    6. Organizing the class so the rotation works (Most Ceroc Teachers)
    7. Using great metaphores and good jokes (Robert Royston)
    8. Using great music in the class
    9. Choosing and adapting suitable material
    10. Making sure there is more time spent dancing than talking.

    Are non teacher's allowed to post? Not a teacher, but

    #5 - Consistantly demonstrating the same thing.

    It is so confusing when the teacher keeps changing the moves - sometimes to something else, and then back again even.

    The whole class is wasted, everyone is confused.


    pet hate #11 -

    when the teacher overruns by more than 10 minutes and you aren't in the class, but waiting to freestyle.

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    Not a spoon! Lou's Avatar
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    Re: Teaching - pet loves/hates

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy McGregor View Post
    The women get taught in exctly the same way as the men and are told when to step forward when to pivot, turn, etc. You end up with a group of ladies who anticipate every move
    I wondered that, too. I was originally taught that way, and I thought it explained all the ladies I knew who anticipated.

    HOWEVER, it turns out that they'll anticipate anyway - even when taught by just the one teacher.

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