Teacher’s Training Course

SAQA Registration no: 79986

Entry Requirements

Academic Qualification: Matric Certificate (or minimum NQF 3 level)
Dance Qualification: DASA Intermediate Examination

Note: Dance qualifications of an equivalent level from other recognized teaching and examining bodies would be accepted.

Enrolment and Admission

Closing Date: 26 January 2024.
Complete and submit the following documents, either by courier or email

• DASA Enrolment Contract agreement form
• Cathsseta registration form
• DASA Enrolment Contract agreement form
• Cathsseta registration form
• Signed Code of conduct and rules form
• Certified Copy of ID
• Certificate and Report of highest dance level obtained
• Detailed CV
• Completed DASA Membership application form
• Head and Shoulder Photo
• Matric Certificate (or minimum NQF 3 level)

Please phone the DASA Head office to confirm that your documents have been received.

DASA Contact Details

Course Fee

The total course fee for 2024 amounts to R29 810.00 including vat.

It can be paid in one, two or 10 monthly instalments:

• (R15 800.00 x 2 Payments). Total R31 600.00
• (R3 350.00 x 10 Payments). Total R33 500.00

Please indicate your plan on the enrolment form.

Banking Details:

Dance Academy of South Africa
ABSA Bank cheque account: 3490 151 582
Branch: 336 445 (Woodlands Boulevard)

No cash will be accepted only EFT or Debit orders.

Kindly take note: Students who wish to extend their theoretical studies over a period longer than a year, will be responsible for the total course fee payable for the year in which they complete the qualification.

Discussion Classes

Discussion classes are presented during 3 contact weeks, Monday – Friday from 08:30 – 16:30.
All classes are presented at 90 Skilpad Weg, Monumentpark, Pretoria

Proposed dates for 2024

Closing date for registration: 26 January 2024
1st contact session: 12 – 16 February 2024
2nd contact session: 25 – 28 March 2024
3rd contact session: 24 – 28 June 2024

Final date for submission of ALL workbooks, as well as logbook: 13 October 2024

Please bring your own food, cool drink / energy drink for the day
Wear comfortable dancewear and bring your dance shoes, pointe shoes as well as a notebook and pen.
It is compulsory to attend the discussion classes.

Prescribed Publications

1. The Dance Book by Lorna Haupt (pub. Dotsquare 1997) (Available at the office please, email Liezl Strydom admin@dasa.co.za to order)
2. DASA Pre-Grade Syllabi and Music (only available as a download from The DASA online shop www.dasa.co.za at an additional cost
3. DASA Grade Syllabi and Music (only available as a download from The DASA online shop www.dasa.co.za at an additional cost)

Recommended Resources and Publications

(Only available as a download from The DASA online shop www.dasa.co.za at an additional cost)

DASA Classical Ballet Medal Dances’ Syllabi and Music
DASA National Medal Dances’ Syllabi and Music
DASA Modern Medal Dances’ Syllabi and Music

Classical Ballet Technique by Gretchen Ward Warren (pub. UniPress Florida 1989).
This volume gives a visual coverage of steps in the ballet lexicon with photographs of professional dancers. A student teacher will find this a valuable reference for correct execution and ‘line’.

Dance Anatomy by Jacqui Green Haas (pub. Herman Kenilict N.Y. 2010).
This volume depicts the relationship between muscle development and movement. Featuring two hundred colour illustrations of the muscles that are involved in each dance position or movement; of interest to both dancers and teachers.

To obtain the DASA Teachers Certificate and be eligible for Full Membership, the following aspects need to be completed within a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 4 years.

1. Attend the discussion classes and complete all workbook portfolios with a 65% competency to pass the FET Certificate – Dance Instruction
2. Provide the required proof of practical teaching experience gained under the supervision and coaching of an approved DASA Mentor / registered dance teacher.
3. Attend a Pre-Grade and Grade ERN Workshop
4. Dance the Pre-Grade & Grade Practical Teachers Exam
5. Dance the Advanced 1 Major Examination (if not yet passed)
6. Annually pay Provisional Membership fees to DASA

Practical teaching experience – Logbook of Practical hours

The FET CERTIFICATE DANCE INSTRUCTION = 136 credits / 1360 notational hours, of which 30% or 408 hours is theoretical and 70% or 952 hours is practical.

The required 408 hours for Theory, is accumulated by discussion class attendance, as well as research for and completing of assignment activities in the workbook portfolios.

70% of 1360 hours = 952 practical hours.  These are notional / integrated hours pertaining to practical teaching experience and are divided in:

1. 125 hours on Pre-Grades of which 25 hours should be with a DASA examiner, 50 hours with an approved mentor and 50 hours with a registered teacher or teaching in own studio.
2. 125 hours on Grades of which 25 hours should be with a DASA examiner, 50 hours with an approved mentor and 50 hours with a registered teacher or teaching in own studio.
3. 702+ hours are integrated hours for doing observation, administration of the studio and research of assignments, for practical stage work, revue or stage performances. This also includes the preparation, implementation and feedback supplied for 25 specific lesson plans as required.
   All hours spent on learning the DASA examination settings from the DVD or syllabi, or doing other dance related activities, listening to music to identify rhythms etc. can be logged in the logbook file.

Separate log sheets will be supplied for record keeping of all the hours spent – preparing, learning and teaching, to be included in a Logbook (file) after the page called Time Schedules. These have different “headings” each to clarify which hours to log where and how.
Your logbook file should also include your 25 lesson plans, with mentor evaluations as well as your feedback on the learners you taught. Also include a copy of the syllabus pertaining to that lesson, and reference to or examples of appropriate teaching aids used.

The total of 250 practical hours with a DASA Examiner and Mentor (point 1 and 2 above) has to be physical individual hours, signed off by the relevant examiner or teacher and is the hours required for admission to the DASA Practical examinations for Pre-Grades and Grades.
The ‘other’ hours are then notional hours in the real sense of the word, and can be signed by either the mentor, other dance teacher or the learner herself, depending on the practical task.

Attend an ERN Workshop (Pre-Grade and Grade)

An ERN workshop is usually held once a year in Pretoria. This is a one day workshop presented by DASA examiners.
The Examiners teach the Syllabus, with teaching tips and the build-up from Tiny Tots I to Grade 6. The expectations in an exam session are also taught.

Dance the Pre-Grade and Grade Practical Teachers Exam

Candidates need to seek placement with one of the approved DASA mentors, to learn the DASA Syllabi work. Once the provisional member has accumulated 250 hours of observation/teaching with a registered DASA teacher and Examiner (point 1 and 2 above in practical hours), they may apply to do the Pre-Grade and Grade Teachers Practical exam.

In this exam, the teacher is required to demonstrate the exercises for the set syllabi (Pre-Grade and Grades) and to answer questions on teaching methods, analysis of steps and detail of placing. Understanding of basic anatomy and technique, such as correct stance and use of turnout, are essential.
The Practical Teachers Exam is usually held in November.

A student is allowed to dance the Pre-Grade practical exam and the Grade Practical exam in two different sessions. If you enrol only for the Pre-Grade exam you need to hand in all your practical hours on Pre-Grade but not the practical hours on Grade.

Dance the Advanced 1 Major Examination

The student needs to pass the DASA Advanced 1 Major Examination or an equivalent exam from another reputable organization such as the RAD.

Pay Provisional Membership fees to DASA

All Teacher Training students will automatically become Provisional members of the Dance Academy of South Africa. The first year’s membership fees are included in the Course fee.

The yearly fee is payable by 31 March each year. Refer to the DASA Year planner for information on all DASA workshops, revisions and related dance matters.

For further information regarding the membership please contact the DASA office:

If the student does not intend to commence teaching in the near future, she may pay the annual membership fee and become a non-active member. This will ensure that the membership is not cancelled. If the membership is not paid and membership is cancelled, a student can re-apply for membership again at a later stage but a penalty fee will be charged.

Should the student wish to start her teaching career, the credits, as specified on the previous pages, must be obtained by the student in a four year period.

You are entitled to start teaching the DASA Examination syllabus but can only enter candidates for examination purposes under an already qualified DASA teacher and after completing the ERN workshop. Once you have passed the theoretical part and done all the requirements for Provisional membership, you are fully qualified, and can enter students in your own name.

Carefully read the DASA General Information and Rules document available on the DASA website.

We kindly remind you that the DASA Code of Conduct state that you are requested not to open a studio within a 5km radius of another DASA teacher.