Beginners mind?

A new starter is hopeful, idealistic and naive.
They have notions about tai chi that have brought them to the class. They are expecting to find confirmation of these ideas.
Instead of an open mind, the student is searching for something familiar.

The problem with being a new starter is that you know nothing about the art. Nor could you.
The values you attribute to things stem from your own experiences and opinions, not from an understanding of the art itself.
What you see as being skill has no bearing whatsoever upon the reality of the system.

And, if you understand the art... why seek lessons?