As a student you only know your part. As a teacher you have to know both parts with theory, style, and be able to dance with and with out a partner in front of a certified tester. Why?

Not so easy to make the same distinction for teachers. You could, I suppose, make the same comparisons that they do for students: Bronze for high school diploma, Silver for BA (4 yrs college), and Gold for higher degree such as Masters. But the medalist system is not a great measure of accomplishment or ability for teachers. It is, at best, a way to establish a basic minimum set of required skills.

Jonathan

I asked one of the teachers (certified) at my studio about this. Although I feel none the wiser, she did comment that she had to take an exam to be certified. Please keep in mind, this is not an Arthur Murray studio. The syllabus they use is from the Imperial Society Teachers of Dancing.

When I asked her for an equivalent, she commented that you really can't compare this to high school, college, etc. The more experience a person has as an instructor (how to teach, what they say, how they explain it) can be more beneficial for the student.

I hope this helps.

Regards, Hoofer

I don't know much about teacher qualifications, but I do know that at the studio where I take lessons, one of the two dance instructors are certified. If I can get details, I'll post whatever I find out.

Regards, Hoofer