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CWDC European Championship 2009 © Studio 54

Exam Syllabus

PLEASE NOTE - All candidates for the National Dance Teacher Examination should be eighteen years of age or over.

The examination to be taken is in three parts. The music for part two and part three will be provided by the examiner. Each candidate must bring one other person to the examination with them who may be asked to take part in the practical examination. This person may or may not be a dancer but should be capable of reasonable movement. Each candidate must bring one script for an easy level line dance to the examination.

NOTE: All steps, moves and dances should be performed with country western styling. Suitable country western wear should be worn for part two and three.

Part 1: Written - Theory

The format for the paper is multiple choice. Candidates will be asked to select the correct answers from a choice of 2 or 3 possibilities. The subjects covered are:

  1. Terminology
  2. Dance positions
  3. Room alignment
  4. Positions of the feet
  5. Basic knowledge of couples dances
  6. Music
  7. Principles of teaching
  8. Communication skills
  9. Sound equipment
  10. The professional industry - agents, contracts etc.
  11. Candidates will be asked to draw or sketch answers in the following categories:
  12. Draw room alignment positions
  13. Draw the positions of the feet

Part 2: Oral examination - theory and practical exercise

THEORY: Candidates will be asked questions on the following subjects:

  1. Terminology - basic terms
  2. Terminology - in depth terms
  3. Dance floor etiquette
  4. Floorcraft
  5. Lead and follow
  6. Good and bad teaching methods
  7. Student fears
  8. Fitness
  9. Communication skills
  10. Legal requirements
  11. Sound equipment
  12. The professional industry - agents, contracts etc.
  13. A knowledge of the industry and their local scene

PRACTICAL: Candidates will be asked to:

  1. Count, identify and call to various types and tempos of music
  2. Demonstrate basic dance positions - both ladies and gents
  3. Demonstrate and explain foot positions
  4. Demonstrate and explain posture
  5. Demonstrate a sixteen step line dance from a script

Part 3: Practical Examination - Teaching

  1. Teach a sixteen step line dance
  2. Teach a basic partner dance sequence consisting of eight steps and four shuffles
  3. Teach the basic steps of a couples dance
  4. Explain the basic dance holds