[Tango-L] Call to Tango...

[Caroline Polack]

"Another issue of contention is that the teachers don't dance with the
students, they prefer to observe. That bugs me because they can't always
"see" what the problem is - I would appreciate it if they would dance with
my partner if I was having problems with the feel of his leading."

When a teacher observes, he can see not only your problems, but problems
with the whole group, and collects his thoughts what can be done to fix it.

Hi Igor - actually, I beg to differ. My class is pretty small. About 7 
couples. My partner kept throwing me off my balance and the teachers 
couldn't see why that was. It was only after I asked (not DEMANDED but asked 
nicely) if the female teacher could dance with him then she was able to 
understand what the problem was - it was his shoulder attempting to push me 
into a back ocho. It was a detail that wasn't so obvious to the eye but very 
much so to the touch.

At the other school I go to, the teachers dances with everybody - they are 
very much hands on and as a result, the students are learning faster and 
they drop out less because the teachers seem to actually care about their 
students doing well and when the students dance with them - they get to see 
and feel how tango should feel like and how enjoyable it can be.

I prefer teachers to observe. But, of course they should do whatever they
feel is the best.

The teacher can step in and serve as an extra partner if a group is small
and he knows what goes on between everyone well, but you are wrong to demand
it from a teacher - this is an extra service beyond what is needed for a
lesson. Want personal advice? Take a private class !

My class is pretty small at the school where I'm having issues with the 
teachers. The teachers could certainly spare even just 30 secs to dance a 
step with whichever student is truly struggling to grasp something.

Hmmm... at the same school where my teachers are not dancing with the 
students, I never see them dance with students at their own milongas as well 
as minimally dancing with them in class - that gives me a bad impression as 
if they don't care about their students let alone want anything to do with 
them. I see very few beginner/intermediate students in attendance at their 
milongas. At my other school, the teachers always dances with the students 
in class as well as at their milongas and they have a way of making you feel 
as though you belong there. If they see you sitting, they would dance with 
you and introduce you to everybody else. I see almost all their students at 
their milongas.

So, I see a cause and effect relationship here. I'm now considering dropping 
out of my first school and spending my hard-earned money at the second 
school instead.

Private lessons? I'm a disabled single mother with no child support - I just 
don't have the money for that as much as I wish I do. So, I think I will 
stick with group classes in which the teachers are truly engaged with their 
students.

So thanks for your suggestion - even if I couldn't use it.

Caroline

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