[Tango-L] 6 months

[Stephen.P.Brown@dal.frb.org]

Hi Manuel and everyone:

If we are to parse words, some mastery of basic skills means a less than 
mastery.

Manuel wrote:
>Please do not think I'm passing judgment on your teaching skills. But in
>all honesty, it's extremely rare for a six~eight week trained dancer to
>have mastered anything.

If passable requires some mastery of basic skills, 6-8 weeks is completely 
possible.

Far from finding a judgement on my teaching skills, I read a criticism of 
other teachers.  Students need to be taught enough in a beginning course 
that they are encouraged to keep dancing.  If the emphasis is on teaching 
small elements and basic rhythmic skills, they will find the ecouragement. 
 Will they be prepared to join the Tango X 2 company?  No.  Will they be 
prepared to go to local milongas and have a good time?  Yes.  Having a 
good time may launch them into the learning and practice that is necessary 
to move beyond passable.

Jake is completely right that the instructors cannot practice for the 
students.  Those who want to become dancers find it within themselves to 
practice.

>BTW, if you want to see passable, just go to any 
>large milonga and watch the people dance. You'll
>be amazed at the number of passable dancers you'll
>see, and they will not be all students with six 
>weeks of one hour/week lessons under their belts.

Why do students who study for years never progress beyond passable?  Read 
my other posting.
http://pythia.uoregon.edu/~llynch/Tango-L/2006/msg05241.html

 IMO, too many teachers foster a dependence on their teaching.  When Susan 
and I were teaching regularly, we often told our students that we had 
taught them enough and they should practice and just dance to refine 
skills.  We also hosted a guided practice, and that is where I still think 
the students really learned to dance.

With best regards,
Steve