Nancy's Story: The Value of our Teaching Assistant Course

My name is Nancy, I am 16 years old and I studied the Level 3 teaching assistant course last academic year whilst I was in Year 11.

What is your dance teaching context?

I assist in several ballet, tap and modern classes at my dance school weekly. I have been assisting for almost 4 years. 

How did you hear about the bbodance Dance Teaching Qualifications?

 My dance teacher introduced me to the Level 3 course and encouraged me to apply to gain formal recognition as a teaching assistant which would help develop my knowledge of dance teaching, strengthen my CV and support my progression towards a career in the dance industry. I had also seen the course advertised on social media.

Why did you choose to study with bbodance?

I chose to study with bbodance as I felt that the course would fit well alongside my other commitments. The course being delivered entirely online was incredibly convenient and allowed me to balance the course, my school work and dance classes. I was also interested in the opportunity to gain UCAS Points from this qualification which will support my applications to university in the future.

What was the application process like?

The application process was easy for me to complete with no issues. I had to complete an online application where I needed to write a personal statement. I then had an interview where I got to talk personally with the teaching qualification faculty so that they could learn more about me and my assisting experience. The interview was also an opportunity for me to ask questions and learn more about the course and if it was right for me.

How did you feel at the start of the course?

At the beginning of the course I was slightly nervous as I had never studied at a Level 3 before and wondered if I’d find it too difficult. However, after I started the course I realised that I didn’t need to worry and I really enjoyed learning new things and developing my understanding of dance teaching. I was also apprehensive about balancing my school work and this course, especially as I was in Year 11 sitting my GCSEs. I found that the flexibility of the online course allowed me to fit the work around my school schedule, making it manageable alongside my other commitments. All of the webinars were held on Sundays which I also found really convenient.

What was your favourite module and why?

My favourite module was Module 3 - Devising Dance Training Activities. I really enjoyed putting what I had learnt in previous modules into practice by creating my own training exercise catered towards a specific syllabus exercise. I found it interesting considering students' stages of development and what they had previously learned to create a training exercise and suitable progressions to help train students for the syllabus exercise.  

Would you recommend our Courses and Why?

Yes, I would recommend the course as I feel you gain so many skills as well as the qualification. You develop your teaching skills and better understand how to adapt your teaching and support to suit different ages and stages of development. Also, you develop more personal skills such as responsibility, resilience and confidence, which are valuable skills to have for the future. 

Can you describe some of the main skills you have learnt from the course?

I feel this course has developed my responsibility and self-discipline, as I have learnt the importance of being accountable for my work and taking responsibility for my own success and development. The course has helped build my confidence when assisting in dance classes, as well as helping me step outside my comfort zone, embrace new challenges and try things I may not have previously felt confident doing. 

What are your plans for after the course? Where is your dance journey taking you next?

I have recently started college on a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance. The bbodance course gave me experience studying and working at Level 3 which now means I found my coursework easier and less of a jump from Year 11. After learning all about different teaching methods on the bbodance course I feel I am more confident approaching different group choreography tasks at college, where I need to work with people who have different learning styles and experience. In the future, I am hoping to have a career in the dance industry and I feel the bbodance course provided me with skills such as professionalism and determination as well as a formal qualification that will support me in the future.