4 Performance skills

Performance skills are those aspects that set dancing apart from mechanical movement. Often, our attention is drawn to the dancer who is using a range of performance skills effectively, because they stand out from the rest.

Performance skills are aspects such as:

• focus;

• projection;

• musicality;

• timing;

• emphasis;

• expression.

All of these aspects are connected
Author(s): The Open University

3 Dance combinations

Movement and dance combinations enable students to make physical sense of the exercises and movement material that they are given in class on a regular basis. In dance, repetition and recapitulation are vital ingredients in the learning process, and so being presented with phrases of movement that progress and develop in complexity will allow the individual to progress and develop too.

Did you know that it takes around 180 repetitions of a movement for the muscle memory to retain that p
Author(s): The Open University

1.3 Warm-up activities

A variety of actions might be included in warm-up activities, and there is good reason for keeping these simple and repetitive. If the brain and muscles have to concentrate on learning new and complex patterns of movement, then this takes attention away from raising the core body temperature by 1 or 2 degrees and increasing the heart rate enough to perspire.

Movements might include:

• walks gradually increasing in speed to a small run;

• 
  Author(s): The Open University
  
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1.2 The warm up

The importance of an effective warm up to prepare the body for physical exertion cannot be emphasised enough.

Warm-up activities for dance should:

• mobilise the joints;

• increase the internal temperature of the body;

• increase the heart rate and blood flow to the muscles;

• make the muscles warm and pliable;

• increase the range of movement around the joints;

• increase the speed o
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1.1 Persuasion, control and argument

The Reading below contains examples of interaction that you may or may not be familiar with. The book that it comes from is concerned with how people use language in many kinds of situations to solve problems and get things done. Before examining ways in which teachers can help students develop their understanding and use of spoken language, it may be useful to step outside the classroom and consider some of the ways that language is used in everyday life as a means for ‘getting things done
Author(s): The Open University

Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• understand ways that spoken language is used to create joint knowledge and understanding, and to pursue teaching and learning

• consider the educational implications of some recent research on teaching and learning in face-to-face interactions

• demonstrate some approaches to analysing the spoken language of teaching and learning.

Motive: Upper Intermediate German
This course extends language skills and cultural knowledge. By working with authentic material from German-speaking countries, you will learn how to communicate in a wide range of situations: expressing opinions; reporting other people’s comments; explaining processes and trends; electronic communications; structured notes and texts. Cultural themes explored include changing demographic and social patterns; jobs and the role of work; German media and arts; issues of faith and personal beliefs;
Author(s): The OpenLearn team

Croeso: beginners' Welsh
Are you interested in learning more about one of Europe's oldest languages? Or would you simply like to brush up on your Welsh? Then look no further. This collection of audio material features a variety of speakers, talking about their interests, holidays, opinions, likes and dislikes. A short historical account can also be found here. There is even a conversation between two people from Patagonia who speak Welsh as their first language. We also look at greetings as well as past and future event
Author(s): The OpenLearn team

Worlds of English
How has the English language spread internationally - and is the worldwide influence of English a cause for celebration or concern? How is it changing in response to social, cultural, and technological developments? ‘Worlds of English’ investigates these notions by looking at the expansion of English in China since the 1970s, how it is now the dominant language used at the European Parliament and how a local vernacular in Singapore, known as 'Singlish' is causing controversy. It also examin
Author(s): The OpenLearn team

English: Language of controversy
Is English a force for good? What have been the ramifications of this language’s dominance in ex colonies and also throughout the world? We debate how local languages have suffered as a result of the spread of English and investigate the consequences of its influence on indigenous communities. Language campaigner Neville Alexander provides a South African perspective on the negative aspects of a language when it begins to represent economic and political power and a panel of linguists debate s
Author(s): The OpenLearn team