Teachers are an integral part of a dancer’s development. Not only do they aim to build up the dancer’s talent and ability but they also act as a mentor and inspiration to the student.
Teaching any subject of dance requires the teacher to be resourceful and flexible in their approach in order to get the best out of their students, particularly for students with various standards and styles of learning.
Teachers in vocational schools play a specialised role in student development, taking time to develop the skills of their students by giving information and guidance to progress quickly, building on what earlier teachers have taught the students.
At vocational schools specialist teachers apply both experience and theory to teaching lessons where physical skills are used to train in the dance subject. Vocational teachers help to rectify bad physical habits and engage students intellectually.
Teaching in vocational institutions is the subject of much discussion with many training options available, be it a more academic course or a more practical course. Vocational school is available both as full-time and part-time schools. A full-time vocational school teaches core curriculum subjects and specialist subjects, such as acting, dance and drama full-time, whereas part-time vocational schools work alongside traditional schooling, teaching specialist subjects after school or at weekends. There can be academic and vocational grades awarded, depending on what each school offers. Many teachers share industry contacts and careers advice with their students in order to enhance their training.
It’s important that vocational schools ensure high standards of teaching, not only because vocational schools are expensive to attend but also to help children progress onto specialist further education schools: vocational schools are important for young people to learn the skills needed for entry into performing arts if they have not had prior experience.