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WHAT IS
THE GOAL
Knowing how
to get there
Today in
most well run dojos every class, regardless of the age,
or the rank, of the students involved, will always have
as it's fundamental goal the continued advancement of all
of the students in that class.
To help
achieve this goal it is not uncommon for dojos to create
more advanced training programs, ones that are limited to
only a select number of senior black belts at any one
time. These types of programs are usually geared towards
enhancing the teaching skills of the students involved
and are sometimes referred to as an "Instructor's
Program".
In most
cases those black belts accepted into such a program will
already have clearly proven their dedication to the art
of karate, and to their dojo. In addition, they will
personally have achieved a high standard of excellence in
the basic skills and fundamentals inherent to their
particular style of karate.
Now
regardless of who enters such a program, it is a
fundamental fact that they too will still be on a learning
curve of their own. As such it is expected that their
participation in this type of a program will be over and
above their own normal training. Once the senior students
have been selected they themselves will usually undergo
additional training through special classes where the
primary lessons will focus on the art of "learning
how to teach".
Teaching
anything well is not a simple matter, it takes a special
kind of person with a high level of dedication.
As such
students should never be accepted just becasue they have
paid a price, or achieved a certain rank.
As is
customary, who, what, and when, these Sempai's are
allowed to teach, will remain most often under the
control of the dojo's Sensei or Chief Instructor.
Once a
curriculum has been established, and the classes handed
out the Sempai conducting any class should be allowed the
freedom to teach the students in his or her group
basically uninterrupted. This is necessary in order for
those on the instructor's program to have some freedom to
develop their own method and style of teaching, and to be
allowed the opportunity learn from their own mistakes.
Doing so will also instil in the students under their
care, the clear understanding that the Sempai's lessons
are to be accepted, remembered, and practiced,
as any other lesson, and as one of the many criteria
required for the students continued advancement.
Of course
the Sensei or Chief Instructor should always step in and
offer advice during any class when ever it is evident
that the person doing the teaching is outside the scope
of the dojo's currently accepted practices, outside of
their own personal ability, or when it becomes obvious
that they are unaware of a students genuine need for
correction and or assistance.
Given time
and with proper coaching, however, the Sempai's in the
program will in all likelihood soon learn how to
recognize each student's individual leaning curve, and
they will become familiar with the rate of progress at
which they are most comfortable in order to maximize
their own personal skills.
This level
of ability to learn will of course vary from person to
person, and will of course be based on many factors.
Therefore, it is important for the Sempai's to keep the lesson
being taught to any group as a whole, within the
frame work of those techniques, and fundamentals, that
all of the students with a group can keep up with.
This is
very important, since it is often this lack of ability to
progress at the same rate as others in their peer group,
that can often lead a student dropping out of karate
altogether. So every effort should be made to make sure
that when the level of instruction in any class reaches a
point where the knowledge being dispensed can no longer
be understood at the same rate by all the students, then
this is the time when the Sempai should break the
class into smaller groups which should be based on each
students ability to learn, and clearly
understand everything that is being taught.
Since it is
crucial to a students development, all of the basic
fundamentals of karate, down to the smallest and most
seemingly insignificant detail, in what ever aspect of
karate the class is focusing on, should be taught first.
Afterwards the instructor can move on and teach advanced
theory or technique if time permits. Since the layering
of any knowledge must always be based on an upward,
rather than a lateral, or downward learning curve, it is
very important to each students progress that every
effort be made to see that no steps in this learning
process are left out.
It should
also be noted by all the Sempai's that what works in one
class, and with that group of students, will not
necessarily work the same way with the next group.
Each class
is different.
Each
student is unique.
Thus,
innovation and variety, are two tools that these new
instructor's must quickly learn to master.
The
following are some guidelines that this type of program
may include, and or require:
1. The
number of participant's may be limited at any one time.
2. A
greater leadership role in the dojo.
3. Separate
specialized classes.
4. A
complete knowledge of all kata and associated bunkai up
to current rank.
5. Written
monthly progress reports.
6. An
expanded knowledge of karate history.
7. Not all
students might complete the course.
8. The
program will have a time limit.
9.
Completing the course will mean a higher expectaion in
all aspects of the students karate.
Within a
dojo as elsewhere, teaching is not just a matter of
knowing a lot of facts and details.
Like
karate, teaching is also an art.
It entails
having the ability to convey facts and details correctly,
and in a manner which allows others to learn and progress
at a satisfactory rate, not only to the Sensei, but also
satisfactory to the student themselves.
If you feel
an Instructor's Program would work at your dojo, and
benefit your students consider creating one, but be sure
and give it the time it deserves.
Do so, and
chances are in the long run both you and your students
will be that much better off, and a lot further down the
karate road.
Remember
Teaching
others is a task best left
to those
most qualified to do so.
Part the
clouds - see the way.
"The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
of the
human spirit through physical and mental training."
Sensei
Peter Lindsay, Go Dan, (FSKA)
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