Each learning unit is designed to be comprised of underpinning & applied theory, dance, discussion and sharing, as fitted to the theme. Completing tasks and homework for each module is a requirement for final certification.

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All weekends of the teacher training programme must be attended. Individual Teaching Programmes may be possible.

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A Breakdown of the Weekends:

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Weekend 1: Module 1 & 2

 

Module 1: Becoming a Teacher, an introduction 

• The Purpose, Principles and Aims of Dance Connection.

• A Brief History of Dance.

• The Language of Dance Connection.

• Reflection of your own dance journey as basis for becoming an embodied teacher.

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Module 2: Dance & Movement - Physiology and Categorisation of Movement

• The Physiology of Movement

• Laban's 8 Efforts.

• Laban's Categorisation of Movement.

• Observation exercises.

• Self-reflection on your own dance and movement. 

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Weekend 2: Module 3 & 4

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Module 3: A Focus on Movement Education

• Psychology of Movement.

• Dance Language and Non-verbal Communication.

• Education not Therapy - the language and approach.

• Body-Mind Intelligence - actualisation of potential. 

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Module 4: Music

• The Power of Music - the effects: emotive capacity.

• Music - physical stimulus, rhythm and melody.

• Musical Semantics.

• Understanding and Identifying Genres.

• World Music.

• Exploring Music

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Weekend 3 - Module 5

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Module 5: The Session, The Pathway

• The Educational methodology of Dance Connection.

• Understanding the session : components.

• Understanding the session: dances & movement exploration.

• Understanding marriage of music and dances

• Begin studying the dances and movement handout.

• Exploring the pathways - understanding how they work

• Dance & Movement practical exercises

• Practising introducing dances

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Weekend 4 - Module 6

 

Module 6 - Revision of Dances & Practicals of How to Teach

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• Professional Codes of Conduct.

• How to adapt Dance Connection pathways using the resources.

• Deepening your knowledge of the Dances and Movement Booklet.

• Dance practice pathways - record and evaluate your experience.

• Choose & Adapt a pathway for the next weekend.

• Group Dynamics - Conflicts & Tensions

• Questions

• Student group collaboration: self-organised discussion & feedback - skill sharing.

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Weekend 5 & 6 - Practice

 

Leading your Pathway for the Group (part or whole)

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• How to tailor a pathway for time and flexibility

• Lead your pathway to the student group

• Feedback from peers

• Questions

• Revising dances you are unsure of

• Prepare a block of 6 pathways for a new class

• One to one , feedback session with tutor

• Student group collaboration: self-organised session. 

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Weekends 7 & 8: Teaching 

 

Local or In-house Teacher Training Supervision session

• Getting Ready - what will I need to teach?

• Preparing to teach

• Teach or participate in peer session and learn from each other

• ​Group feedback session with tutor

• One to one , feedback session with tutor (at the weekend you teach)

• Time to collaborate with peers

• Questions

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N.B Depending on your own time and effort outside the weekend, more training might be needed if you are not ready to teach by the end of weekend 8

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Celebration & Certification Weekend

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• The Dance Connection Website.

• Dance Connection Teacher annual membership.

• Annual Continual Professional Development.

• Where do you fit in the community ?

• Dancing pathways together.

• Feast & Ceremony of Completion and certification - Sunday lunch: friends and family welcome.

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The teacher training must be completed within an 18 month period - all tasks and homework must be submitted within this time.

 

The celebration weekend will be arranged once everyone is at the same stage. If you have met the standards, you will be given an interim PDF certificate so that you can begin your weekly classes.

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Continual Professional Development - 

Extension Weekends & Day Workshops:

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Weekend

• How to work with Dance Connection in Varied Contexts and Environments:

​       in schools, organisations, 1 to 1 sessions, dance breaks and on line. Explore example

       dance pathways - reflect on effects and suitability for different contexts and participants.

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Day Workshops

• The Heroic Journey - how to lead this pathway.

• Voice & Percussion - how to include this in your pathways and workshops.

• Myths - how to lead this pathway.

• Archetypes - how to lead this pathway & include in your pathways.

• Dance & Nature - how to include this in your pathways and workshops.

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Teachers Day

CPD is compulsory, within 24 months of qualifying. Connect with other Dance Connection teachers, skill share, introduction to new dances, support each other.

1 Teacher Day per year, compulsory.

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All working qualified Dance Connection Teachers in the UK will be represented on the dance-connection-uk.com website and will be required to pay a nominal, annual membership fee.