First off, thanks to everybody for being so generous with your knowledge and opinions. I am new (about six months into my first dance lessons, 50 years old, male) and "ballroomdancers.com" is an outstanding aid to my education. I've read many of these threads about the merits of various kinds of studios and instructors with interest and, often, the kind of grim, morbid interest one might develop seeing an honest to god fist fight. But I digress. Let us say that I am:
1) not interested in competing but get a kick out of watching people who are
2) willing to spend whatever is necessary to dance socially and attractively without wracking my brain (I'd like to dance as well as I ski and without THINKING so hard)
3) able to devote 3-5 hours a week to my new hobby
4) without a dedicated partner-in-dance

How do I evaluate my instructor intelligently? All the talk of qualifications (ISTD, CDF, whatever) is over my head. All the talk of "holding people back" is mysterious - I waffle between wanting more instruction and feeling overwhelmed with the simplest sounding stuff. Where SHOULD I be after six months? (Assume that I am reasonably fit and coordinated.) How do I evaluate whether my progress is about right, too slow, amazingly fast? Do these questions make ANY sense?

Those are all very good questions. The largest problem is that a beginner is not able to distinguish a good instructor from a bad one. A beginner doesn't know what is correct and what is not. I have seen lots of beginning students after taking classes from one instructor, change instructors and then have to relearn everything because the first instructor taught some weird stuff. It is much more difficult for a beginner to relearn something than it is to learn it correctly the first time.

I always recommend that beginners get recommendations from local experienced dancers as to who is a good instructor. Most experienced dancers in an area will know most of the local instructors and probably have taken lessons from several of them. That experienced dancer should also be able to spot the bad ones. Try talking to several of them. When you start getting the same recommended name, that will probably be a good choice.

My choice would be an independent instructor (not part of a chain studio), and one that teaches both private and group lessons. The good ones also don't make you sign a contract. Most are pay as you go, with maybe a discount for purchasing a month's worth of classes at a time. These instructors know you will stay because you are getting good instruction, so there is no reason to try and lock you in to keep you from leaving.

As far as how fast you progress varies with the student. I would leave this up to the instructor. If you have a good instructor, you will be moved along as fast as you can progress, and won't have to be worried about being held back because someone might want to slow your progress to squeeze more money out of you.

"My choice would be an independent instructor (not part of a chain studio), and one that teaches both private and group lessons. The good ones also don't make you sign a contract. Most are pay as you go, with maybe a discount for purchasing a month's worth of classes at a time. These instructors know you will stay because you are getting good instruction, so there is no reason to try and lock you in to keep you from leaving."

My "main" studio is like that. Pay as you go or buy an 11 group lesson ticket for the price of 10. Not a fabulous deal but better than nothing. They sometimes will offer a buy one, get the second for half price deal.

Another indy studio here charges upfront for 5-lesson blocks. And that's only $55, so even if you miss one or two, you're not out a whole lot.

Chain or Indie does not guarantee anything as far as quality is concerned.

it is very difficult for the beginner to be a discerning client-- all " teachers " appear knowledgeable in the beginning !!

it also depends upon what you are seeking from lessons-- the chain schools will provide a busy social calender geared to your level .

There ares some indies ( i am one ) who do not provide the socials on a reg, basis ( time constraints ) .

Take a class, and see how you fare with that situation-- make your choice from experience rather than hearsay .

The best way to evaluate a studio is to go to the studio.
Watch the instructors teach, go to a practice party and watch the other dancers dance. Do you like what you see? Are the students at this studio dancing at a level you find acceptable? Are you enjoying the instructor's approach?

Also a great dancer is not always a great teacher. A great teacher will be able to answer your questions in terms that you understand. A great teacher will let you learn at your own pace, as fast or slow as that may be.

If you do not want to compete be up front about that, but do not be surprised if the subject is brought up in the future. Goals change and most of the time instructors don't want students to feel left out if they are not asked to participate in events.

Thank you for asking these questions...........I too, am wondering the same things!

Before embarking on priv. lessons-- enrol in a class of your dance choice.
The variety might be a litle overpowering , but it frees you from long term committment .
Ask q from the folks attending-- they may guide you to their opinion ( yours may be different )
There is a case to be made for Indies, as well as chains-- depends upon your needs . Chains want up front payment for courses , but have strong social aspects. Indies tend to go lesson by lesson, but the social aspect will be lacking .

Most studios also offer a very cheap intro package. I would take advantage of these packages to evaluate the teacher and the whole school environment. In addition to the instruction itself you have to make sure you are going to be compfortable with the instructor. That you, well, like each other and can communicate easily.