Student Responsibility - the ten parts of the student's responsibility to
the student - instructor relationship
the student - instructor relationship
- Never tire of learning. A good student can learn anytime, anywhere. This is the secret
of knowledge. - A good student must be willing to sacrifice for his art and his instructor. Many
students feel that their training is a commodity that is bought with monthly dues and
they are unwilling to take part in demonstrations, teaching, and working around the
do-jang. An instructor can afford to lose this type of student. - Always set a good example for lower ranking students. It is only natural that they will
attempt to emulate their seniors. - Always be loyal and never criticize the instructor, the art of Taekwon-Do, or the
teaching methods. - If an instructor teaches a technique, practice it and attempt to utilize it.
- Remember that a student's conduct outside the do-jang reflects on the art and his
instructor. - If a student adopts a technique from another gym and the instructor disapproves of
it, the student must discard it immediately or train at the other gym. - Never be disrespectful to the instructor. Though a student is allowed to disagree,
the student must follow instructions first and discuss the matter later. - A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions.
- Never betray a trust.
Know Your Students Weak Spots
by Keith Pascal
...to help them improve.
It's easy to spot your students' weaknesses, when you ask yourself one simple question.
As a martial artist, I spend all of my time analyzing how other folks fight. I examine their techniques. I
observe and guess at their tactics. I even ask them questions about what they are practicing (smile).
I spend a lot less time analyzing my own strengths and flaws.
Sure, I practice. You do too, right?
I found a real quick and dirty way to discover my own weak points. All I have to do is ask myself one
simple question. And presto, change-o, I know exactly what I need to emphasize in my workouts.
Are you interested in finding out this ever-so-basic question? (No, that wasn't it.)
Just ask yourself what you have been avoiding practicing?
Do you routinely procrastinate in one area?
I am willing to bet that's the particular area that could use some improvement? Don't you just hate it
when I am right? ;-)
We'll apply this to student learning in a minute.
Would you like some slightly embarrassing examples from my own life?
I have a beautifully planned workout routine. It includes a lot of tummy exercises. I spent a lot of
time carefully constructing my abdominal routines.
Do you think I do them?
Think again.
I just avoided doing my exercises for the last two and a half months! It's time to get back on track.
Another example can be found in Bruce Lee's Five Ways of Attack. I know all five ways inside and
out. Yet, I definitely could use improvement in two of the ways. (And no, I am not going to advertise
my weaknesses all over the Internet, thank you very much.)
Yet another example can be found in my students. I looked at my more advanced "cookies." These
guys have been with me awhile.
So, I asked the same question to myself -- but this time I asked about what my students and I avoided
practicing.
Our hand techniques are awesome. Our timing is pretty good too. Rhythm? You betcha.'
But our kicks ... left something to be desired. They sucked.
Can you guess what we are focusing on, this year? : - )
I know this question-asking method works, because as is human nature, we tend to do what pleases
us, and avoid what doesn't. Of course, some folks have masochistic tendencies, but in general, we
seek what we enjoy.
It stands to reason that what you have avoided working on needs improvement.
This is not rocket science.
Listen to Your Students' Complaints
Do your students groan about doing certain exercises?
Do they nervously joke when it's time for a particular activity?
Have you ever noticed a lack of enthusiasm during specific drills?
These are all clues as to your students' weak areas.
You have the discipline to work on your own weak spots. Your students don't know how, yet.
It's up to you to add enthusiasm to certain tasks. Teach them discipline. Shape them to tackle and
overcome weak areas in their training.
Remember, identifying these weak spots starts with a question.
by Keith Pascal
...to help them improve.
It's easy to spot your students' weaknesses, when you ask yourself one simple question.
As a martial artist, I spend all of my time analyzing how other folks fight. I examine their techniques. I
observe and guess at their tactics. I even ask them questions about what they are practicing (smile).
I spend a lot less time analyzing my own strengths and flaws.
Sure, I practice. You do too, right?
I found a real quick and dirty way to discover my own weak points. All I have to do is ask myself one
simple question. And presto, change-o, I know exactly what I need to emphasize in my workouts.
Are you interested in finding out this ever-so-basic question? (No, that wasn't it.)
Just ask yourself what you have been avoiding practicing?
Do you routinely procrastinate in one area?
I am willing to bet that's the particular area that could use some improvement? Don't you just hate it
when I am right? ;-)
We'll apply this to student learning in a minute.
Would you like some slightly embarrassing examples from my own life?
I have a beautifully planned workout routine. It includes a lot of tummy exercises. I spent a lot of
time carefully constructing my abdominal routines.
Do you think I do them?
Think again.
I just avoided doing my exercises for the last two and a half months! It's time to get back on track.
Another example can be found in Bruce Lee's Five Ways of Attack. I know all five ways inside and
out. Yet, I definitely could use improvement in two of the ways. (And no, I am not going to advertise
my weaknesses all over the Internet, thank you very much.)
Yet another example can be found in my students. I looked at my more advanced "cookies." These
guys have been with me awhile.
So, I asked the same question to myself -- but this time I asked about what my students and I avoided
practicing.
Our hand techniques are awesome. Our timing is pretty good too. Rhythm? You betcha.'
But our kicks ... left something to be desired. They sucked.
Can you guess what we are focusing on, this year? : - )
I know this question-asking method works, because as is human nature, we tend to do what pleases
us, and avoid what doesn't. Of course, some folks have masochistic tendencies, but in general, we
seek what we enjoy.
It stands to reason that what you have avoided working on needs improvement.
This is not rocket science.
Listen to Your Students' Complaints
Do your students groan about doing certain exercises?
Do they nervously joke when it's time for a particular activity?
Have you ever noticed a lack of enthusiasm during specific drills?
These are all clues as to your students' weak areas.
You have the discipline to work on your own weak spots. Your students don't know how, yet.
It's up to you to add enthusiasm to certain tasks. Teach them discipline. Shape them to tackle and
overcome weak areas in their training.
Remember, identifying these weak spots starts with a question.
How to Teach
This page will give you a brief introduction of how to teach Taekwon-Do. It is not exhaustive,
merely a rough guide to start you on your way. Many of the hints have suggested by students or
are observations I have made when watching other Instructors or Students teaching. In our
School we encourage students to teach for at least a short period of time during class and then
we give feedback on their performance. I think they find it useful. I certainly do.
When teaching it is very important to consider WHO you are teaching and WHAT you are trying to
teach them. It is very difficult to explain the Theory of Power to a young child who wants to do
sparring all day. If you think we have missed something from the list below please let me know and
I'll add it.
When you are talking try not make unnecessary movements (e.g. flapping arms) as this is
distracting the Student from the words of wisdom emanating from that gaping hole in the middle of
your face! Explain what you are going to do, demonstrate, explain what it is for. Ask if they
understand. Very often you will see blank faces, nobody wants to put their hand up and say "I don't
understand". As the Instructor you have to look out for the signs E.g. Tilting of theirs head, blank
expressions, looking around at other (senior) grades etc.
Do take command of the class. Students are not sheep but sometimes they act like it. When you
begin call the class to attention so that they know that you are instructing them. It is not unusual
for an Instructor to break a class into smaller groups and have other Black Belts teaching at the
same time. Once you have their attention (and make sure you do) use LOUD and CLEAR
COMMANDS. Rather than "Could you please try Saju Jirugi if don't mind when you have a minute"
say "Saju Jirugi, Junbi, Si Jak". This way everyone knows what is expected of them and when. If
you are not authoritative then the Student can become confused.
If you don't know the answer to a question then say so. Students will respect you far more if you
say that rather trying to fudge it. Remember you are Instructing and weather you are a Black Belt
or a White Belt you are still human and you still make mistakes. Do not be afraid of showing this.
Indeed, many students will feel a whole lot better when they realise that the psychopath at the
front is just a normal guy rather than some alien from the planet Taekwon-Do. (note: there are
some Instructors who are actually from that planet - do NOT confuse the two!
Be careful that you do not end up teaching individuals rather than the class (something I do a lot
of). If you see someone making a mistake then rather than just correcting them, tell everyone. E.g.
"Many of you have to lengthen your Walking Stances as they are too short, especially John,
Michael, Clare" rather than "John, lengthen your stance as it is too short". This requires a
conscious effort. If the Students are concentrating then they will all learn something from that
statement, even if it is just a mental note that those Students make that mistake (so if they are
teaching them they can check to see if they have corrected it).
Remember that teaching is two way - both the Student and the Instructor should learn something
every night. If you are not learning then you are not paying attention. Even if the
Instructor/Student are very bad you should be able to learn from their mistakes, if they are very
good then you should be able to spot those things that they do well. Make sure that your students
know that you are willing to listen to their suggestions/criticism with regards teaching. Maybe they
can't hear you, but if they can't tell you that then you'll never know!
Teaching is NOT easy. Telling other people that they are wrong is by no means easy especially if
you are not sure as to the correct way. If in doubt explain to them what they are doing or
demonstrate (always exaggerate when you demonstrate something) so that they will see what it is.
They might know better than you.
The best way for people to learn is to actually try to do things themselves, rather than watching
you do them. So, once you have demonstrated the technique make sure the Students are given
the opportunity to practice them.
Interesting classes are usually very productive. This is because you are maintaining their interest
and accordingly their concentration. Thus they are more likely to learn. How do you make classes
interesting? Well, variation is a start, or keeping the pace going so that they do not get a chance
to think "this is dull" as they are too busy. If that fails, give them push ups and think about it.
Use Taekwon-Do terminology. This does not always mean Korean. We have a specific language in
Taekwon-Do, make sure when you are teaching you use it. Jumping and Flying are different things.
Don't confuse terms otherwise you will confuse the student.
Use other students to help when teaching. This can be either to demonstrate how and when you
would use a technique (and the students attacks you), or it can be that you ask the student to
perform while you mention specific points as they perform. Sometimes it can be useful when
teaching a new pattern to put an inexperienced student between two that know what they are
doing, so that when they turn they can always see someone to copy.
This page will give you a brief introduction of how to teach Taekwon-Do. It is not exhaustive,
merely a rough guide to start you on your way. Many of the hints have suggested by students or
are observations I have made when watching other Instructors or Students teaching. In our
School we encourage students to teach for at least a short period of time during class and then
we give feedback on their performance. I think they find it useful. I certainly do.
When teaching it is very important to consider WHO you are teaching and WHAT you are trying to
teach them. It is very difficult to explain the Theory of Power to a young child who wants to do
sparring all day. If you think we have missed something from the list below please let me know and
I'll add it.
When you are talking try not make unnecessary movements (e.g. flapping arms) as this is
distracting the Student from the words of wisdom emanating from that gaping hole in the middle of
your face! Explain what you are going to do, demonstrate, explain what it is for. Ask if they
understand. Very often you will see blank faces, nobody wants to put their hand up and say "I don't
understand". As the Instructor you have to look out for the signs E.g. Tilting of theirs head, blank
expressions, looking around at other (senior) grades etc.
Do take command of the class. Students are not sheep but sometimes they act like it. When you
begin call the class to attention so that they know that you are instructing them. It is not unusual
for an Instructor to break a class into smaller groups and have other Black Belts teaching at the
same time. Once you have their attention (and make sure you do) use LOUD and CLEAR
COMMANDS. Rather than "Could you please try Saju Jirugi if don't mind when you have a minute"
say "Saju Jirugi, Junbi, Si Jak". This way everyone knows what is expected of them and when. If
you are not authoritative then the Student can become confused.
If you don't know the answer to a question then say so. Students will respect you far more if you
say that rather trying to fudge it. Remember you are Instructing and weather you are a Black Belt
or a White Belt you are still human and you still make mistakes. Do not be afraid of showing this.
Indeed, many students will feel a whole lot better when they realise that the psychopath at the
front is just a normal guy rather than some alien from the planet Taekwon-Do. (note: there are
some Instructors who are actually from that planet - do NOT confuse the two!
Be careful that you do not end up teaching individuals rather than the class (something I do a lot
of). If you see someone making a mistake then rather than just correcting them, tell everyone. E.g.
"Many of you have to lengthen your Walking Stances as they are too short, especially John,
Michael, Clare" rather than "John, lengthen your stance as it is too short". This requires a
conscious effort. If the Students are concentrating then they will all learn something from that
statement, even if it is just a mental note that those Students make that mistake (so if they are
teaching them they can check to see if they have corrected it).
Remember that teaching is two way - both the Student and the Instructor should learn something
every night. If you are not learning then you are not paying attention. Even if the
Instructor/Student are very bad you should be able to learn from their mistakes, if they are very
good then you should be able to spot those things that they do well. Make sure that your students
know that you are willing to listen to their suggestions/criticism with regards teaching. Maybe they
can't hear you, but if they can't tell you that then you'll never know!
Teaching is NOT easy. Telling other people that they are wrong is by no means easy especially if
you are not sure as to the correct way. If in doubt explain to them what they are doing or
demonstrate (always exaggerate when you demonstrate something) so that they will see what it is.
They might know better than you.
The best way for people to learn is to actually try to do things themselves, rather than watching
you do them. So, once you have demonstrated the technique make sure the Students are given
the opportunity to practice them.
Interesting classes are usually very productive. This is because you are maintaining their interest
and accordingly their concentration. Thus they are more likely to learn. How do you make classes
interesting? Well, variation is a start, or keeping the pace going so that they do not get a chance
to think "this is dull" as they are too busy. If that fails, give them push ups and think about it.
Use Taekwon-Do terminology. This does not always mean Korean. We have a specific language in
Taekwon-Do, make sure when you are teaching you use it. Jumping and Flying are different things.
Don't confuse terms otherwise you will confuse the student.
Use other students to help when teaching. This can be either to demonstrate how and when you
would use a technique (and the students attacks you), or it can be that you ask the student to
perform while you mention specific points as they perform. Sometimes it can be useful when
teaching a new pattern to put an inexperienced student between two that know what they are
doing, so that when they turn they can always see someone to copy.
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