Strengthening Dance Interpretation Skills of BPED 2 Students through Dance Interpretation Workshop: An Experimental Study

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a dance interpretation workshop for second-year Bachelor of Physical Education (BPED) students of Kabankalan Catholic College, Inc. during the School Year 2024–2025. The workshop aimed to enhance students’ ability to interpret folk dance literature by translating narratives, emotions, and cultural contexts into movement. A one-group pretest–posttest experimental design was employed, complemented by Key Informant Interviews (KII). Quantitative data were collected from 30 second-year BPED students who participated in the intervention, while qualitative insights were gathered thematically from five key informants with expertise in folk dance. This mixed-method approach provided a comprehensive evaluation of both performance outcomes and contextual perspectives. Findings revealed that students initially scored at an “average” level in the pretest assessment. Posttest results demonstrated a “highly significant” improvement following the workshop, particularly across six rubric areas: Correct Interpretation, Proper Execution, Mastery of the Dance, Rhythm and Tempo, Coordination and Timing, and Good Form. These outcomes confirm that structured workshops can effectively strengthen interpretive skills and deepen understanding of folk dance literature. The study further emphasized the importance of integrating dance interpretation workshops into the curriculum, especially in courses related to Philippine folk dances. The significant difference between pretest and posttest scores underscores the value of targeted interventions in skill development. Overall, the research highlights that experiential programs not only improve technical performance but also foster cultural appreciation and artistic expression among BPED students.