The New Core Training for Instructors Programme

Deb Lees, a member of the Education and Training committee, introduces you to a new RSCDS course.

Providing instruction in Scottish country dancing has always been one of the main aims of the RSCDS. To do that we need welltrained teachers who can encourage, develop, and inspire the dancers in their classes or groups. The RSCDS Teaching Certificate is the recognised teaching qualification and each year dancers across the world work towards completing the five Units in the syllabus. There is also the Basic Teaching Skills course which gives a taster of the skills required of a SCD teacher. But it has long been recognised that we need another route to enable more dancers to become confident and competent teachers in their local area, as the Unit system is not always accessible, affordable, or appropriate for everyone. Hence the development of the new Core Training for Instructors programme (CTI).

In essence, the CTI is an apprenticeship approach where a trainee instructor ‘learns on the job’, with support and guidance from a trainer, who must be an experienced RSCDS-qualified teacher. Over a period of up to two years the trainer and trainee instructor will work together, either in person or remotely (using video), to develop the set of skills required to run a successful SCD class. The approach is very personalised, with a focus on the skills that the individual needs for their own context. This means that the CTI programme may feel quite different for each person, depending on the type of class or starting point. Unlike the Units there are no exams to take, as the trainer judges when the trainee instructor has developed competency in the core skills and can run a well organised, enjoyable class which meets the needs of their group.

The CTI is aimed particularly at dancers who are leading social or general classes, including people who can’t readily access the Unit system or feel that the exam route is not for them. It doesn’t require the high level of personal dancing of the Units, but it does require a good knowledge of steps and formations and the ability to analyse dances and plan classes appropriate for their group. These skills are all covered in the programme, underpinned by a range of resources designed to support the trainer and trainee instructor.

During the Covid pandemic, the E&T committee have fine-tuned the programme proposed at the 2019 AGM, and developed a course for those interested in becoming trainers, as well as developing resources for them to use with their trainees. The aim is to ensure that trainers have a good understanding of the CTI approach and are well equipped to develop teaching skills in a way that is consistent with other trainers. Training courses were held during May and June, and as a result we now have 33 trainers.

Now we are ready for the next stage, where the trainers begin to work with their trainee instructors! Potential instructors will be able to apply through the website and will be matched with a trainer. Some trainers are already aware of and keen to encourage dancers in their local area to consider doing the CTI. Information is now on the website so do have a look at it and consider whether you, or anyone you know, may be interested.

https://www.rscds.org/learn/teacher-training/core-traininginstructors-cti

It has been a huge privilege to have been involved with this very different approach to developing teaching skills and building our teacher resource, a resource that will be essential as we begin to dance again after the restrictions of the past year. The CTI programme will sit alongside the current Unit system to support people to develop the skills that will enable them to give their class or group a great SCD experience so that they want to come back for more. And that’s something that I am passionate about, as I am sure you all are too.