Student Responsibility - the ten parts of the student's
responsibility to the student - instructor relationship
responsibility to 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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