[Tango-L] Approaches to Learning and Authencity (or the lack of if)

[Chris, UK]

Gary wrote:

> the idea that everyone will just learn by doing, without teaching, is
> equally flawed

Agreed. And no-one in this debate has suggested otherwise. 

> small children learn to speak without much or any formal teaching ... 
> Yet, very few adults can learn language like this

Many adults /can/... if they give it as much time and attention as does the 
child. Their problem is won't, not can't. Likewise in tango learning.

Hence the attraction of the class route, presenting tango as a pattern 
dance. If people understood that learning it was more like learning an 
instrument, then the learning success rate would be much higher.

But of course the teaching income would be far lower. Economic natural 
selection favours teachers who present tango as a pattern dance... 
to beginners through prescriptive steps, right up to so-called 
advanced through this so-called structural analysis / tango grammar.

Manuel wrote:
> I agree with "improving the damned men", but if you follow Chris'
> arguments, this is impossible.

Nonsense.

> Chris argues, nay, rails  against all teachers and their teaching.

More nonsense. E.g. see my Tango-L message http://tinyurl.com/24rku7 .

> How in the hell is anyone going to improve the damned men?

Well, you could find the teachers Tete was referring to when he said: 
"There are only between 5-10 tango teachers that can really teach you how 
to dance tango." http://tinyurl.com/2f99up

Or you could try something else. ;)

--
Chris