Teaching Taekwondo

Since I'm going to be at camp this week with no computer access, this morning was the only time that I had to write my paper for my 4th dan test. So here it is!

One of the most important aspects of a successful dojang is its teachers. Students look up to their instructors and hold them in the highest respect. Therefore, instructors have an obligation to employ effective teaching methods in their classes. It is difficult to say which teaching method is “the best”, but there are several that work well.
One of the most widely used teaching methods is PCP (Praise, Correct, Praise). This works especially well with younger students who may be more emotionally sensitive to criticism. The basic idea is to note something that the student is doing well, gently give them some advice for something that they are struggling with, and acknowledge the student again when they fix the problem. This method is one of the most effective, because the praise builds the student’s confidence and the criticism prevents the student from developing an inflated ego.
While PCP works very well with young students and beginners, more advanced belts sometimes need a little extra push in their workout sessions. This is where the “drill instructor” method is effective. Because of the growing number of young children in martial arts, many instructors are emphasizing gentle teaching methods that are designed to not intimidate the student. I have no qualms with those methods, but sometimes some good, old fashioned yelling is called for. This is not to say that the instructor should be “mean” or “rude”, but should use yelling as a motivational tool. I cannot count the number of times that an instructor’s yelling has kept me going when I otherwise would have collapsed. Again, this method works best with adults and advanced belts. Most children automatically associate yelling with getting in trouble and will most likely shut down during class if they are intimidated by the instructor.
An important part of effective teaching is the structure of the actual class. I base the design of my classes on the students who are there. For example, if the class is predominantly children, I have them do interactive games and fast-moving techniques that keep their minds occupied. With adults and higher belts, I slow things down and focus on detail, but still give them a good workout with intermittent kicking drills and pushups/crunches. It is important to keep in mind, however, that it is difficult to please everyone. In a class with twenty children and one adult, the adult may get a good workout, but might not get to go as in-depth as they would in a class of twenty adults. That is a simple fact and there is nothing really that the instructor can do about it. In that situation, it is up to the adult to choose to try to get something out of the workout or just sulk because they didn’t get to do what they wanted.
Proper discipline is another important aspect of teaching. The instructor’s attitude towards discipline can make it or break it for some younger students, so it is important to know the limits. During a class, assigning pushups is the equivalent of a warning. It is physical labor and it is somewhat humiliating for the student, but he or she is still allowed to participate in class. If the student persists, the next step is to ask them to sit down until they can behave. “Time-out” is effective for younger students because they see their friends having fun in class, which motivates them to behave so they can have fun as well. The two harshest punishments that we employ at our dojang are the confiscation of a student’s belt, and refusing to sign their attendance card. If a student blatantly disobeys the instructor numerous times, their belt should be taken off and hung somewhere in plain sight of the class. This is both humiliating for the student and it serves as a reminder to the rest of the class. The time that the belt is kept depends on whether the student’s behavior improves. Refusing to sign a student’s attendance card is a touchy situation, especially if the parents of the student get involved. Not signing the attendance card lengthens the time before a student can test for the next belt, and in the minds of some parents, is wasting the money that they paid for their child to take class. It is best if the instructor speaks with the student’s parents first, explains the situation, and asks if they have any problems with the method of discipline.
My personal experience with teaching has helped me grow as a martial arts student and as a person. Being a naturally shy and introverted individual, fitting into leadership roles was difficult for me at a young age. I preferred to stay in the background, only offering suggestions if I was asked directly. This changed when my Tae Kwon Do instructor asked me to begin teaching classes for him. I clearly remember the first Tae Kwon Do class that I taught by myself. I had written down everything that I planned to do during the class, along with a time limit for each activity so that I wouldn’t have any extra time. As I began the class, my hands were trembling, but by the end I was completely at ease. I had found my leadership role. Tae Kwon Do is a sport that I have participated in for twelve years, and it is something that I am very passionate about. Having the opportunity to instruct other people in this martial art has opened up a new door for me. I am able to share my passion and enthusiasm for Tae Kwon Do with my students, and hopefully instill a long-lasting appreciation for the martial arts in them.