Another Pilot Interview

Recently I have sent messages on facebook to get an idea of what college level education was like in my area. I asked an ex-student a few questions just to clarify information for my Inquiry.

Qs 1 Have you or are you training in further or higher education Dance/Musical Theatre?
"I Completed BTEC National Diploma in Dance"

Qs 2 How many hours a week are or where dedicated to academic lessons and what where they?
"In the first year we had one hour of contextual studies, in second year one hour of business studies and one hour of dance appreciation. (Group tutorial was an hour for both years)"

Qs 3 How many hours a week are or where dedicated to physical training? e.g. Ballet, Tap, Modern, jazz...
"One hour of ballet a week sectioned into advanced and beginners, one hour of commercial, 3 hours of contemporary, 1 hour contact improvisation, 1 hour choreography, 2 hours fitness, and an hour and a half of Musical Theatre in the first year. We had one hour of ballet, an hour and a half of jazz, one hour of tap, one hour of dance appreciation, and 4 hours of contemporary in the second year".

Qs 4 What are the good aspects of this course?
"I feel the College offered a variety of styles in dance, the business, context and dance appreciation lessons open your eyes to the 'behind the scenes' work that goes into the performances of professional companies. The college has links to youth dance companies offering great opportunities which is great. They also give you the time to decide if you want to advance your skills in dance through university.

Qs 5 What are the bad aspects of this course?
"I feel the teaching staff could have been stronger, a majority of the staff members had to get pupils to demonstrate movements as they couldn't perform them! No discipline, the classes were unruly and students were just plain rude, they spoiled it for people who genuinely wanted to learn. For people with previous dance experience there is not much of a challenge because of the vast range of levels. I found that teachers had extreme favoritism!!!!!!!"

Qs 6 How do you feel the course you are doing could be improved?
"There needs to be separate classes for each level to enable a challenge for advanced dancers and to encourage dancers starting out. I think teaching staff needed an improvement, dramatically! When a teacher can't do a standard split leap without bending their knees and having to get a pupil to demonstrate properly, makes you question how you're meant to learn. More discipline, and respect for teachers is needed so less time is wasted in class."