Instructor

[Joseki]

In your veiw what makes a good instructor ????

[pesilat]

The ability to communicate not only the curriculum of the system, but the underlying principles of *why* it is structured that way and *why* it works.

Mike

[Joseki]

Thats good

[Andy Murray]

Someone who is interested in other people. Willing to give of themselves to bring out qualities the student is unaware they posess.

Andy

[Freeform]

Good communication and technical skills. Some of the best instructors/coaches aren't necessarily some of the best Martial Artists. You could liken it to gymnastics that way.

Thanx

[Jim]

I think honesty is an excellent quality in an instructor. The ability to say 'buggered if I know, but I'll find out by next class' is a good answer to a difficult question rather than 'that question isn't for this time', or some such.

[Silver_no2]

All of the above...and the ability to laugh with his/her students.

[NielStewart]

Someone who acknowledges that they are also still a student...

[Jim]

Ah, yes Neil, especially that.

[stump]

I think the ability to inspire a student is an important quality for a good instructor to have

[morphus]

I totally agree with everything thats been posted here. Confidence in what they re teaching helps!
Freeform's quote interested me "some of the best instructors aren't necesarily the best martial artists" - I feel this is definatly true from experience and now i teach my own class occasionally i feel a fraud thinking - 'well i Know i'm not the best so why should the students listen to me'! Could anyone elaborate on this it may help me with my 'occasional' lapse in confidence???????:o

[Jim]

Strange but definately true. I remember my instructors (MA & Military) as being not what I 'would have been' if I was in their shoes, but I think that charisma is an important part of being an instructor. It goes hand in hand with being able to identify with students and their being inspired by you.

[YODA]

I think selflessness has to be high on the list - probably the reason why many exeptional fighters do not make exeptional teachers - they're too wrapped up in their own development.

[morphus]

I agree, selflessness high on the list but are we talking about giving up your spare time or perhaps being less indulgent in your own training (even though a tutor must go on learning) or are we talking about the whole chi-bang? Opinions?
Heres a sub-question;
At what point (what grade, age etc) should somebody be able to teach and what other points to take into concideration? I mean - a simple snap kick technique could prob' be taught by someone two or three grades up, but maybe they couldnt teach application, so where do we stand on this people? Opinions please!

[Joseki]

We let students teach at 3rd Kyu (light blue 2 away from black) this my sound a bit late but by that time they should know enough and have confiduce in what they are teaching.

[paul paterson]

You must first learn that an instructor instructs and a teacher teaches, what makes a good instructor has nothing to do with teaching and both are different in there own ways. However, please remember. Any tom dick or harry can tell you what to do, but it takes understanding, honesty, courtesy, knowledge, and many other forms to become a good teacher. Shihan Creton of Karate Jutsu Kai once said to me at a summer camp, it takes blood, sweat, tears, and a life time to understand this and that. So just be yourself and remember the meaning of Osu.

Paul Paterson
1st DAN JIYUSEISHINKAI
2nd DAN KYUOKUSHIKAI

[LilBunnyRabbit]

An instructor can also be a teacher, and should be.

Actually looking at the definition its a very blurred line between the two. An instructor is one who offers instruction in a subject, whereas a teacher teaches it.

[paul paterson]

Osu, ckdstudent. You are correct in what you have said however, you contradict yourself on your first paragraph. Please remember what an instructor is. Someone who offers instruction, ie someone who tell the student what to do such as, do 50 hiza geri, or go there and do for me Sanchin Kata. That is what an instructor is and does. Whereas, the teacher is someone who is everything rolled into one, example. like a social worker, a friend, a chaplin, a parent (mother or father or both), etc. The teacher sees the path best suited for the student at the time and guides them and then explains down to the last detail and feeling what it is. I do agree with you, but as I have said before, any fool can tell someone what to do, but can that fool explain why and wherefore, etc. That takes someone very special, and not everyone is suited to be a teacher.

Osu.
Paul Paterson
1st DAN JIYUSEISHINKAI
2nd DAN KYOKUSHINKAI

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Just because you're telling them what to do doesn't mean you can't help them learn it as well. And can you deny that a martial arts instructor should be a teacher?

The first part refers to martial arts instructors in particular, the second is the general definition of instructors and teachers.

[paul paterson]

Osu, ckdstudent. you are correct in what you say however, each school will have their own methods and practices and who am I to argue with an "expert". I shall say no more on this subject as it is obvious that I am an "expert".

Osu.
Paul Paterson
1st Dan jiyuseishinkai
2ndDAN Kyokushinkai

[paul paterson]

Osu.
I mean that I am NO "expert".

Osu
Paul Paterson.

[Andy Murray]

While my understanding of the traditional Japanese systems is fundamental at best, I'd like to briefly explain the Chinese family system a little, as it seems relevant to this thread.

The equivalent to the Japanese Sensei in Karate/Aikido etc is the 'Sifu' in the chinese systems.

A literal translation is Father, with the students being the children and hence brothers and sisters to each other. The title is honorific, and certainly never demanded from people, but earned instead. Imagine that your mother remarried, and you suddenly had a new Dad. It would take time and mutual respect before you would feel at home calling this man Daddy?

The Sifu has many responsibilities. While instructing the Sifu is looking for ways to teach.....for way's of simplifying the meaning of the teachings, and for better ways of communicating with his family. At times he may be called upon to reprimand, or punish, but a good Sifu will see a mistake made by one of his siblings as an opportunity to teach once more.

The goal of the Sifu is to be surpassed by his children, so that they will carry on his ideals and teachings long after he is gone. As much as a parent wishes to be young and innocent again, the Sifu enjoys a second childhood through the guidance of his family.

Just the way I see it.

Andy

[Jim]

I knew you were a fundamentalist Andy, Viva l' Revolution!!! Ai Ai

[Freeform]

Just a point after reading Andy's post.

Sensei is literally 'Teacher' but also means much more (literal translations being insufficient).

The point that I want to make is that its not just a martial term. One can be a Martial Arts Sensei (Instructor), a Business Sensei (Mentor) a Culinary Sensei (Head Chef).

I hope you can all appreciate my rather woefully explained point.

Thanx

[morphus]

We could argue all day as to what defines a sensei and such.

Does anyone agree that a teacher/sensei can learn techniques and application and understanding of both of these, at the same time as teaching them?

[waya]

I ahve always been of the opinion that everyone should always be learning, no matter what rank they hold or if they are learning from students they are teaching, other instructors of higher rank, or just people they pass on the street.

Rob

[wayofthedragon]

Some one who pushes their students to be the best they can be, encouraging them, helping them, not only in the aspecets of what they are instructing, but be there for the student in anyway they can, mentoring, being like a father figure, and being a good example as of how they should be. I think that is a good instructor.

[Freeform]

Does anyone agree that a teacher/sensei can learn techniques and application and understanding of both of these, at the same time as teaching them?


Yes, I do it all the time. I'm training to take my full Instructors qualification in Tai Jitsu at the end of the year (3 days of pain and psychological trauma, yipee!) and I regularly help teach at other schools, who's Instructors teach different techniques/drills from mine. Because I have an understanding of the basic principals (and drill very similar things myself) after being shown it 2 or 3 times I can then normally do it myself and teach it.

Thanx

[darlph]

Freeform, I agree with you. I also may add that learning and teaching is a neverending path of learning in itself. Ideas should be brought across by the teacher on a level the student understands. Teaching a 5 year old is different than teaching a 20 year old. Once they get the point, it's not just movement, reason gives initiative to act purposely.

[Sonshu]

An honest approach and experience learned. I think a good instructor is someone who is honest and open to all styles and techniques.

Also with the ability to explain the reasons for the technique and the mechanic's of how it works.

I have had the pleasure to meet a good number of instructors so I consider myself lucky.

[Melanie]

Welcome Sonshu,

You were at the UK Meet I see. Did we meet perchance?

Glad you could join us :)

[Sonshu]

Someone who is understanding in there own ability and patient with others.

It is vital to be aware of other styles and to realise that some techniques that may not work for one person can be the best moves for another (we are all different)

The main thing is the ability to comunicate what you are trying to teach, there are many excellent martial artisits who are poor teachers as this is a different skills.

So many things involved in teaching that you could list plenty but the main ones is communication and listening, topped with an undertanding of MARTIAL ARTS - as well as the style being taught.

Must have a little people skills.

SONSHU

[TkdWarrior]

well i hav't read all those posts but still i write... i bet most of guys hav pointed out this thing but hey this is good thread to write a sensible 200th post...
well first thing Instructor should lead by example... there r times when student become much better than teacher but that's big compliment for a teacher...
having said that i say one more thing which is that when sometimes couldnt do some of moves or techniques then is he qualified to call him as a teacher? in this regard i'll put example of my freinds granpa who teaches Indian Wrestling n Sticks system.
he's around 70+ n hav arthiritis in his kness he can't move... so whenever he teach them tech/move he teach them while sitting...
but theres lot of footwork too...so does that make him bad teacher? no still he passes the complete knowledge of art... be it foot work or anythin like that...
but it comes to lead by example he can take on his student even while sitting(basically sticks system cuz wrestling needs much more footwork) he can defend himself, beats his students, all while sitting, he even faught 3 student sitting...
so wat that tells yea...
ability to express, ability to comunicate, ability to lead, ability to win trust.
nuff said..
-TkdWarrior-

[KickChick]

(One from KickChick's archives):) :

What is a good instructor?
by W. Rhee


"In some non-descript, intuitive, immeasurable, non-quantitative, inexplicable way I have begun to sense who the good instructor is and who is the journeyman that merely shows up and makes a presentation. The difference is not so much what each knows, what information each has stored in his or her brains, or what ready knowledge each has at his or her finger tips, or how each has their version of "their martial art". It is what each brings or does not bring to the student as a human being. Being human is not an arrangement of flesh and bone. It is a way of thinking, acting, and doing.

A good instructor is one who rises above the others with something extra.

-They are competent and know their subject, but do not identify so strongly with their discipline that they lose their humanity.

-They go beyond the mechanics of presentation, of organizing a class, outlining what to teach in a class, being prepared, creating what is needed to know by the student, grading performance, being prompt, and so on.

-They interplay on the mind, heart and spirit, for they believe that teaching without love is shallow and hollow, perhaps wrong and meaningless.

-They teach "wholeness" and realize that learning is not separated from other aspects of human activity.

-They are concerned with feelings and thoughts. They are concerned with the spirit and emotion of the student as well as the intellect realizing that they are all interconnected and interacting parts of the same person.

-They believe that love and caring is good teaching and don't let or technique substitute for caring.

-They believe that helping students is more important than how they feel and what is comfortable for them.

-They are more concerned with the learning styles of the students rather than their teaching style.

-They come as lovers of learning, as classroom stimulants rather than barbiturates.

-They find benefit and the positive in all student efforts and attitudes, and don't know what a "wrong" or "can't" is.

-They do not look for students in their classes and therefore find only individual human beings.

-They are more concerned with the question "who are you" than the statement, "I am the instructor."

-They are more concerned with the question, "are you learning" rather than the statement, "I am teaching."

-They are in a relationship with the students rather than with the teaching topic, techniques, and/or class presentations.

-They do not entice, seduce or threaten with penalty or reward, by popularity, by grades, or by "feeling good."

-They earn respect rather than exercise authority and power.

-They care not only about their subject, but what goes on in the hearts and souls of each student.

-They listen more than they talk.

-They proclaim far less their ideas than help students to generate theirs. Their actions are designed to meet the needs of the students, not their own.

These instructors are nurturers. For them, everyone has potential. Everyone belongs in their classes. No one is a loser. No one is poor. No one is worthless.

-Their classes offer every student the opportunity to succeed.

-Their classes are filled by the enthusiastic spirit of humility, concern, trust, care, encouragement, community, respect, challenge, growth, and dignity.

-Their classes are cluttered with creativity, vision, and imagination. Their classes are loving and nurturing worlds of adventure, worlds of growth, worlds of transformation, and worlds of discovery.

-They are never in a comfort zone, never complacent with themselves.

-They are demanding of themselves as they are of their students.

-They make teaching seem so artful and effortless because they never stop working hard, never stop researching on their own, never stop reflecting and examining themselves, and never stop carefully reflecting.

-They struggle to understand why they became instructors, struggle to articulate the purpose and goals of their care, and always ask "Why do I do what I do?"

-They care about what goes on inside their own heart and soul, and understand that they are not unending fountains of wisdom or sacred caretakers of knowledge. Boredom and routine are not their companions.

-They get up excited each morning and can't wait to teach. For them teaching is a calling.

-They struggle not to be imprisoned in their own personal and professional ivory towers.

-They are humble. For them there are no sacred cows. Change is a welcome challenge.

-They leave the classroom convinced a better job could have been done.

-They assume responsibility when something doesn't work in class.

-They are sufficiently defined inwardly that they know how to say to students, "I don't know, but let's find the answer together."

-They are learners who realize that they teach best not what we know but what we want to learn.

-They act the way they want the students to live, with a value for themselves and each other, with values greater than the selfish, competitive, material rat race.

-They somehow understand the spirit of each student and touch that spirit.

-They come closer to the students, treat them with respect as individuals, and talk about themselves as human beings.

-They add to the stature of the student as a thinking, feeling, contemplating person.

-They embark students on unending voyage of discovering new interests and powers within themselves.

-They understand that "martial arts" is not just a preparation for belts, but for a meaningful life.

-They dream big dreams, dreams not limited to the timely life of the dojang, but expansive, daring, and timeless dreams of life beyond the dojang."



Isn't that what an instructor is? Does yours fill the criteria?
;)

[karateronin]

I think an instructor is a person who is prepaired to "give back" what they have taken from the martial arts so as others may also benefit from the wisdom they have learned on the journey.

[Griff]

In your veiw what makes a good instructor ????
Instructors usually run entire groups and are responsible for group business advertising & recruitment as well as teaching and safety.
So what makes a good instructor?
Knowing your syllabus
teaching it and a safe environment
Providing evidence you can teach without having to fight someone
Communication Skills
Good club structure (breaking it down into smaller groups)
Using confirmation of learning principles
Ensuring your students go throught Listing Technique, Explain What the Techniques are, Evaluate, coach, assess themselves, and varify there skills.
There are so many issues, if you keep the students happy they keep coming back.
For me Ive heard many instructors say Ive been teaching for 30 years or similar, this dont mean they've been doing it right.
Some practices can leave permanent damage to students, some exercises in children and senior citizens can cause damage that leads to all sorts of painfull ailments and with no win no fee solicitors/lawyers it is hard to take anyone to court. And if found responsible negligent, ie you didnt know you were doing wrong it wont defend you it proves you were negligent, its your responsibility to know if you teach ANYONE.
Look at www.bnmaa.co.uk website loads of info on it for you
Have a good one
Griff

[Kris x]

I think a good instructor is someone who has lots of patience, actually listens, and can have a laugh, and of course is qualified to teach.

:D

[Pete Ticali]

Hi
about ten years ago I came across a document entitled "CODE FOR INSTRUCTORS", I liked it alot so I now use it as a certificate that I have those who achieve "Sensei" sign and I post it up in the school(s).

It reads as follows:

As a instructor of the martial arts, I am the bridge between the traditional philosophical concepts taught to me and those seeking personal or spiritual growth. Because I recognize that my behavior directly affects how well these values are communicated, I am committed to excellence in performance, and the highest standards of ethical behavior.

As an instructor of the martial arts, I recognize that I am in a position of authority. I value the trust placed in me by others. THerefore, I recognize my responsibility not to abuse or in any way take advantage of my position.

My committment to excellence and ethical behavior means that I will:
**Satisfy my student's need for information, not my own need for self expression.
**Hold myself responsible for the actions of my students and Assistant Instructors.
**Respect the work of colleagues, knowing that the way of the martial arts may have more than one path.
**Strive continually to improve my professional and technical competence.
**Promote a climate that encourages personal development and that attracts individuals to the study of the martial arts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope you found it interesting!

Pete Ticali

[davelee]

I feel a great instructor:

Should Push Their Students To The Breaking Point
Be Able To Laugh With His Pupils
Be Personable But Not Personal
Never Be Selfish Think Of The Needs Of The Many Over The Few
Be Willing To Betterhimself To Better The Whole
Give The Students What They Paid For And More
Never Quit On His Followers
And Seek Answers To The Questions Byself Or Byside His Students
Leading By Example A Loyal Student Is A Loyal Instructor And Vice Versa