to wot UP said.
Part of the "problem" IMO is the focus on "more moves" - if you go dancing more than once a week then it is simply not possible to remember 3 or 4 new moves from every lesson. More focus on technique during teaching and more emphasis on not trying to remember every single new move wouldn't go amiss. I tell newer intermediate guys to "pick one" that they like from an intermediate lesson and focus on getting that one smoothly into their repertoire - if they are dancing 2 or 3 times a week it still won't take long to expand the number of moves they know - and they'll be dancing them better.
I think part of the frustration with a lot of new leads is that they haven't been taught to actually
lead - just to perform moves. And from just going to Ceroc classes with no other "input", very few of them have a hope in hell of working out why something isn't working - this forum/rec.dance/AfterFive can supply some of the theory, but as UP suggests, what beginner leads really need is a kind dancer who knows the theory of technique and can explain the basics simply to get leads
leading.
Followers need to learn to
follow too - or leads just get frustrated. I've lost count of the number of times I've danced with a newish lead who comments that they actually feel like they
are leading me. Great compliment. But sad that it happens so often.
Quote:
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...there will always occasionally be beginners in the intermediate class who are not ready to make the transition.
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As MH says, there should be "no shame" in returning to review classes. There will unfortunately more than occasionally be "advanced" dancers in the intermediate class who could do with some training on the basics
Finally, please please please can we
get rid of the "six weeks to intermediate". I am pleased to hear more teachers saying something along the lines of "if you are confident with all the beginners' moves then you can do the intermediate class". MORE of that please, it sets a better standard.