Be prepared: Have a plan to work from but be flexible if things don't go according to it. Make sure to stress that everyone is different and class is not a competition. Keep an eye on people to be sure no one is doing anything that could hurt them. Teaching good basic technic, stretching and correct use of the body will help avoid problems.

Also, be sure to keep smiling and let everyone see how much fun they can have and encourage them to ask questions. The more fun you are having, the more likely your students are to have fun as well.

Good luck!

Dear Armania,
I agree with Carol. The class should be fun. Also, make sure you really understand any material you going to teach. Don't pick up something at a workshop on Saturday and then try to teach it on Monday. Give yourself awhile to truly have a depth of understanding about what you are teaching. Know your material inside and out. this give you time to really know it yourself before attempting to pass it on to others, so that the integrity of the dance is intact a generation later!
Regards,
A'isha

Along w/ what the other ladies say I say Be yourself.... Love your students and thank them for being there.... and have fun......

Thanks everybody!

Take a backup sound system, and keep it around even after you've checked the provided one for functionality.

Take your lesson plan with you, you'll need it when you draw a blank due to nerves.

Enjoy! Once you've settled into it it's heaps of fun, especially when the light of understanding dawns on their faces & you realise that you're actually doing a good job.

I'm a nooby teacher too. Boa sorte!

Darshiva

Congrats! It is wonderful you will be teaching! You will learn that the best way to 'learn' how to teach is just to do it. Go into it with a solid lesson plan, and then the details of how you actually teach the moves and other important tips will emerge over your teaching career. This is a really great tribe to belong to, a great wealth of information.

SOme tips I have are:

maintain your approachability. If you students have questions, be sure not to inimidate them, so they don't feel nervous to approach you and ask!

Compliment! Positive renforcement is totally key in teaching belly dance. Many, many women have rather substantial body image issues, and BD can be way out of their comfort zone. Smile, and tell them things like "great job ladies! you all look beautiful!!" with honesty and enthusiasm.

I personally have a bag of coin hip scarves that I loan out for my classes (just for the class). Students LOVE these, and it helps them break out of their shells! IT makes it even more fun. I got some really cheap on ebay.

speak audibly! There is nothing worse than going to a class, especially as a beginner, and not being able to hear what the teacher is saying. if your music is loud, then speak up! Make sure those in the back either switch to the front half way through (if the class is big this works great), or can hear you well. Don't be shy!

keep it fun! This is totally possible even if you really want to focus on technique (which I am a stickler for!). I also end with something fun, always! Something easier that most of them can do, so they end on a good note, not frustrated and discouraged. I always end with a shimmy. we start out slowly (to a fun song, of course), and gradually doulbe our rhythm, and again, again, 'till we are up to full speed. It gets them all smiling and laughing even if they cant isolate it yet!

Have a handout. THis one I have found helpful because it:
1) keeps me on track
2) is great information for them to have and look forward to.
I have generally taught in sessions, so my handouts have been both "a short history of Belly Dance", stapled to "Beginning (or whatever) belly dance ~ here is what we will learn in this session:"
and then I list all of the hip moves, chest moves, arm moves and positions... bla bla. It is helpful too, because it helps students learn the names of things, so when you say "omi' they don't look at you like you have 3 heads!!

That's all I can think of for now. Keep us updated on how your classes are going! And have fun!
Molly