When I started using 15-minute mini lessons in my tango community, it changed things up quite a bit. Over the years I’ve noticed lots of benefits of this format, as well as things to watch out for if you try it.
How a mini lesson works:
The learner meets you weekly at practica for a 15-minute one-on-one tango lesson.
How learners benefit from mini lessons:
For a lot of people, a whole hour of private instruction is overwhelming. I’ve found that most people have plenty to work on after just 15 minutes one-on-one — usually enough to keep them busy for a week or more.
Having a scheduled lesson at a practica helps build community: it gets your learner out to practica, where they build friendships and practice with partners, which doesn’t happen with lessons at a private studio.
Learners can practice new material or techniques they got from you immediately after the lesson with other dance partners, which helps them deepen the material.
Although you’d think it would be sub-optimal, I’ve found it’s actually great to work with newer dancers on the practica dance floor. It helps them get acclimated in this complex setting with music and ambient movement, and learn how to focus while stuff is going on around them.
It’s great for learners to practice something in the exact same context where they’ll ultimately be using their skills.
Four 15-minute lessons across four weeks has tons more learning value than a one-off hour-long lesson, because learners have time to reflect on and integrate material.
Also, let’s be real: many practicas barely break even. Offering mini lessons is a reasonable way to monetize a practica facilitator’s skills that helps build community and spread the wealth.
A few things to keep in mind if you try mini-lessons
Mini lessons should be one-on-one. I don’t recommend teaching a couple. It is too hard to navigate the pair dynamic in just 15 minutes, and create something that is valuable for both.
Mini lessons should be by the clock, not by the tanda. This clearly frames the experience as learning not social dancing or taxi dancing. In my view, it’s very important that teachers do not sell tandas. Tandas can only be gifted.
Mini lessons can be used to coach learners on movement, technique, DJing, or culture/interpersonal skills related to milonguear.
I had a community member schedule a mini lesson to get input on what to expect at her first festival and how to have a successful experience.
Another community member used a series of mini lessons to learn the basics of DJing. Each week, I gave him an orchestra to study, and in each lesson we listened and discussed the tanda he’d created with headphones.
Even though a mini lesson is short, it’s a good idea to check in with your person first with a quick “How are you doing today?” “What’s up for you with your Tango these days?” “Any high points, low points, or confused points this week?” can be good places to start.
I don’t recommend doing one-off mini lessons. I’ve never found these very effective. Also don’t recommend using these when visiting a new city. I suggest a minimum of four mini lessons for the learner to experience the value of the format.
Mini lessons are amazing and I bet you’ll find they play an amazing role in creating full, happy practicas with community members who grow in mad skills.