Abstract:
The present study focuses on teaching Chinese folk dance in Auckland. The research question asked is: ‘What are Chinese teachers’ meanings of teaching Chinese folk dance in private dance studios in Auckland, New Zealand?’ This study found that ‘Dance is a way’, meaning that teaching Chinese folk dance itself was not the main aim of the Chinese dance teachers participating in this study. This study also found that the teachers taught Chinese folk dance as a way to educate students, shape students’ identity and bring Chinese aesthetic and Chinese culture into Auckland. This research was guided by a qualitative research methodology and constructivist paradigm. Narrative inquiry and case study were selected as the main methods in this study. Data was collected by using semi-structured interviews with four Chinese dance teachers who teach Chinese folk dance in private studios in Auckland. This study found that the meanings of the Chinese teachers in this research were shaped by the students’ reflections, the teachers’ learning and teaching experiences, the teachers’ appreciation of Chinese aesthetic, Chinese identity, and Chinese culture.
