Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
--- Floyd Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Neat subject, eh? :-) So how about testing instructors for their competance in teaching Tango? etc ... That is wrong/bad/intrusive on so many different levels! Neat subject? No!!! You can't be serious in bringing this up! Here's a great example ... Imagine a committee of folks from this list, just as an example, teaming together to say that YOU cannot teach because YOU do not teach like THEM. Now ... is YOUR stomach turning as much as mine? Now, imagine a group of people from halfway across the world taking away your passion. If you have students that like your teaching, they will go to the teacher with either a very particular style (to pass inspection) or to the teacher who has an in with people in BsAs. My God! Big brother is coming to shut you down! Let the community decide! Let the students decide and let THIS subject go! Sorry, Floyd! This subject is revolting! I mean, have the discussion. But, it DOES go against every grain in MY body! Even super-structured ballroom doesn't have that! Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
We really do need to have Tango instructors pass some kind of exam.., Such a system is already in place. One has to pass the examination of a few dozen people who know little or nothing about tango or the dance, then instruct them for a few weeks. Voila. You are now - by definition - a tango instructor. ;) I think that maybe a video of three separate classes that were given by the particular instructor could be sent to a committee in Bs.As. to be approved or rejected... :-) One UK tango website provides service wherein a student can email-in the name of a prospective teacher to get an answer saying whether that teacher really is well respected in Buenos Aires. I kid you not. www.totaltango.com/acatalog/tango_beginners_guide_42.html . -- Chris ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
lets hope to all things that matter on earth that you are kidding. this sounds like the same crap that the martial artists who can't fight came up with to propagate their garbage, and to attempt to discredit the real martial artists. the end result is that the politicians make the rules and run around promoting themselves and each other; gluing fancy colored patches on their uniforms and giving themselves outrageous titles. the real martial artists, who just want to work out, retreat to little dojos and keep working out and training other real martial artist, simply ignoring the the wanna be's, because for the most part, they really don't matter. all remains well with the world until the rare occasion where the real martial artists end up in conflict with the wanna be politicians; the outcome is not so good for the wanna be's who then go crawl in a hole, never to show whats left of their faces again. the dance correlation is what happens when a real dancer shows up at some wanna be's class or milonga. suddenly, the students want to know why they can't dance like that, and the wanna be is exposed as the fraud that they are. be careful what you wish for dance onThe TangonistaSponsered by P.E.T.A. (People Expressing Tango Attitude)NOTICE - no cats were injured in the making of our music _ Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready? http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498ocid=T067MSN40A0701A ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
Years ago ( 10-12?) there was a guy in Southern California who was churning out 'certified tango instructors' from his dance school. And, of course, we all have been impressed by those well-known instructors and the reputation of the dancers in that area. Dear me, Floyd. You will have to get a bigger fedora for that bulging ego of yours. Nancy --- On Thu, 5/1/08, Floyd Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So how about testing instructors for their competance in teaching Tango? I'm sure it isn't a new thought... We really do need to have Tango instructors pass some kind of exam.., eh? To get a certificate stating they are *qualified* to teach it? One Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 10:22:45 -0400 From: Floyd Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors. To: Tango-L Tango-L@mit.edu Neat subject, eh? :-) So how about testing instructors for their competance in teaching Tango? Why look no further! Such a program already exists, right here in the Tango Mecca of San Diego, California! http://www.elmundodeltango.com/ATMA/atma.html ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
[Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
syllabus is designed for certification. After having worked in and around the dance teaching industry for many years, I personally feel that the syllabus is more actively used as a marketing tool than it is used as a teaching tool. It works so well as a marketing tool because it looks like the teaching tool we are all familiar with from our school days, so it must work, mustn't it? To keep students motivated, they must feel like they are progressing, and working through a checklist of steps helps do this, whether or not they are actually learning to dance. Motivated people buy more lessons, which pays the rent. I've noticed that lesson takers seldom social dance, and accomplished social dancers take few lessons (and then just the occasional private or workshop), and not just in Tango. All IMHO, YMMV ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors
http://www.tangodiscovery.com/TD2/English/program.htm Multilevel Sequencing in Time??? I must have slept through that class. Ah, here's the detail: Have the thrill of dancing in real time the sequences that some other person calls up. Hmmm. No wonder I slept through that class... ;) -- Chris ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors
Jake: -- Understanding of what the word arrastre means (in the music) I hope you will explain this fourth skill so that I can start working towards my minimum qualifcations. Is it when the bass player does one of those ascending glissandos? Or is it when the violinists scrape their fingers across the strings below the bridge? Or is it when the pianist runs his hand up and down the keys? Or is it when the bandoneons drag their chairs across the stage prior to the concert? Gosh -- do all the qualified instructors really know this one? -joe ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
Ok... Very adament responses, eh. :-) I wonder if any of them are Argentinians. Or 'Argentines' if that's the proper spelling. It was hashed out here a long time ago but I forgot the outcome. And I wonder why, whenever a comment is made with a well meant intent of improving the breed in some way.., the first thing heard in response is that the proposer is egotistical.Is that the de-facto standard response, set up by the lovers of status quo? ;-) Like the word 'conspiracy' brings on an instant sarcastic groan from many people..., because they know there aren't any such things? g I never said that such certification would be a necessity. That instructors would not be able to teach without one. But as with the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, UL Labs, and other such quality assurances... I do know teachers who shouldn't be teaching Tango.. Doesn't everyone? And I would be just as willing to put myself up against the wall with everyone else. Wouldn't everyone? As for the actual judging? I rolled that off in a bit of a hurry before leaving to teach a class..., so there can be a lot more thought put into it the *way* it's done... Groups comprised of people who are *friendly* to the particular type or style of Tango that's in the applicant's demo cd's.Groups with very wide lattitude judges who would only see the underlying principals of Tango being used.., if they're there.., more so than if it was Swango maybe? gThe applicants name can be taken out and a number substituted if that would help keep it anyonymous. And most of all, I did not suggest that it be done from the U.S... Heaven forbid. No one but home grown, well respected, Tango dancing As.Bs. natives should be allowed to make judgements... It's their dance, eh... And we need the people who produce the glow. You know if an idea has any potential for good at all.., and I still think this one has some merit..., people might do better by offering up what might improve it, instead of talking about past faiures. They don't count you know? They were obviously done wrong! There are *always* ways to do things better and right. People just need to think about it a little more. It's still just a thought I had... Floyd Buffalo Tango - Argentine Tango - How To Tango * * * * * * www.buffalotango.com * * * * * * ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
I think we all have seen excellent tango dancers, with a through understanding of the dance, the mechanics of the dance, and the music, who can dance both roles, who should nevertheless not be teaching tango, or any other dance for that matter. They may, for example, not have a good understanding of the different ways that people learn a physical activity, and thus whatever they teach will be lost on many (read 'on me'). Etc. I think that this is a very hard and many layered question. I personally try to pick instructors based on how much invited teaching they do. Presumably festival organizers will quit asking instructors who are unacceptable to large numbers of students and will continue to invite back those who are effective. Perhaps bogus, but it is all I can figure out to do. I'm not sure that qualifications necessarily help. Look at the US public school system. Cheers, D. David Thorn _ Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready? http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498ocid=T067MSN40A0701A ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying Tango Instructors.
--- Floyd Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As for the actual judging? .. Groups comprised of people who are *friendly* to the particular type or style of Tango that's in the applicant's demo cd's. Have folks paid attention to how a student introduces a teacher or how a teacher introduces/talks about a student? The variations are interesting. Student about teacher: - This is my teacher... - This is one of the teachers ... - I take classses from ... Teacher about student: - This is my student... - He/she takes classes from me... - He/she takes classes from me but isn't my student... There's a teacher here who has been teaching for 7-8 years. People will say that they've take classes from him, but I can't think of anyone who calls him my teacher. That one little word my says a lot about the relationship between the teacher and student - not in a possessive sense, but in a philosophical sense. A sharing of ideas or beliefs. Since the ultimate test of teachership lies with the student, I think that is the required qualification. But how can one certify that if students have different needs and goals? In the end, the students end up finding the teacher that works for them. Quite frankly there are some students that I am not interested in teaching. So it's fine with me if they find someone else, even if that person is less experienced. Those that are serious will do the work to find the better teachers, which isn't all that hard. It's a matter of just asking around. Trini de Pittsburgh PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburghs most popular social dance! http://patangos.home.comcast.net/ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
