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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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