Learning Together

Not all group classes are created equal. In fact, some are specifically designed to usher students into much more expensive private lessons. So how can you tell if you're signed up for one of these "promotional" group classes? Here are a few signs:


  1. Brief class periods - These classes don't allow proper time for warm up and review of the previous week's material, nor do they allow time for any serious instruction and practice. Several of these shorter classes in a row do look very good on a studio's calendar and allow them to offer twice as many classes as other studios at half the price. "What a bargain!" they say... Don't fall for it.

  2. Excessive partner switching - Dancing a new pattern to a couple of different songs with a couple of partners is reasonable. Repetition is good for retention. But if this is the fourth song and the sixth partner, your instructor is delaying, so as to avoid having to teach. Can't have you getting too much for your dollar, now can they?

  3. Withholding helpful information - Some questions simply cannot be addressed effectively in a group setting. Most can, at least to some degree. Be careful when making this call. Your instructor may be doing you a favor by withholding information so as not to go way over your head and thoroughly confuse you, but an instructor who won't give any reasonably satisfactory answers until you commit to privates is not to be trusted.

  4. Constant pressure to take privates - Some students genuinely need private lessons and will not progress far without them. Most, however, can reap considerable benefit from a well instructed group lesson. If your instructor regularly pressures you and other students to take private lessons in group class, his focus is probably more on the quantity of dollar bills in you wallet than the quality of your dancing.

Remember, a group class ought to be a genuine learning experience. When you come away, you ought to have something to take home with you and practice. Generally speaking, if you find that every time you've left a group class you have this feeling that you'll never succeed until you give into private lessons, you're probably in the wrong group class. Try another instructor or maybe even another studio if the problem persists. It's your time and money. Don't waste it on instructors who have no real interest in your progress.