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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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).
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.