Why Ballet Vocabulary Matters (and a Free Worksheet to Help)

When I’m teaching dance class, I’ll be honest—I don’t always use perfect ballet terminology every single moment. I try to as much as I can, but sometimes things slip into shorthand. And often, that’s because these words feel so natural to us as teachers that we forget they’re basically a foreign language to our students.

What feels automatic in our brains can feel confusing (or overwhelming) to dancers who are still learning. That’s why intentionally teaching ballet vocabulary matters so much.

To make this easier, I’m sharing a free Ballet Vocabulary worksheet you can start using right away in class. This printable includes a list of essential ballet terms you can review with your students, plus a page where dancers can write their own definitions in their own words. For an extra layer of fun and reinforcement, there’s also a crossword puzzle using all 20 vocabulary words—perfect for early finishers, review days, or substitute plans.

Some dancers really need to see the words written out before they stick. This resource gives them that visual support while creating natural teaching moments. You can even use the vocabulary list as inspiration for your technique combinations—intentionally naming movements as you teach helps students build confidence with the language of ballet.

Taking time to teach basic ballet vocabulary is an investment that pays off for years. When students know both how to do a movement and what it’s called, their understanding deepens and their confidence grows. That shared language helps them become more independent and more at home in the dance classroom.

👉 You can grab the free Ballet Vocabulary printable below and start using it in your very next class.Print it, project it, send it home, or add it to your lesson plans—it’s designed to fit easily into whatever you’re already doing.

I hope this resource supports you and your dancers this week. You’re doing meaningful work, and I’m always cheering you on.

💛Keep dancing,

-Whitney