Learning from Teaching

[Jointlock]

More than a few times I have heard my instructor refer to martial arts training as taking a path up a mountain. Once you get to the top and look back down you see all of the other paths you could have taken or missed. Not that I have reached the top of any mountain by any means, maybe a foothill, but since I've started teaching it is almost like I am starting over again along with my students.

In order to teach the techniques and philosophies of martial arts an instructor must be able to convey this information in many different ways to cator to different learning styles.

Tonight we were practicing a wristlock, and it looked like my student was doing it correctly, but it didn't feel correct. I had to watch him do it a couple of times, and then I did it a couple of times. I figured out that he needed to put my elbow a little closer to my body and twist and in a little different direction. After that he was doing it perfectly with little effort, and I gained a little more information about how the technique worked. Little things like this make me realize that I know how to do the techniques, but there are those little things that I'm doing to make them work that I don't realize until I see someone not doing it. This actually happens all of the time for me, and I feel that I have learned so much through teaching.

Have any of you had similar experiences, or felt similar benefits of teaching? I know that teaching is definately not for everyone, but I think that everyone should give it a decent shot. Our school actually requires a little in class teaching to reach black belt, any other schools do this? I believe that you should never stop learning, and even when I'm teaching I still feel like I'm learning something along with the students. I have also found greater respect for my teachers before me, it's not as easy as they make it look.

[JohnG]

I've always said that you can't really claim to understand something untill you've tried to show it someone else. Finding different ways to explain the same technique to different people really does test your knowledge and skill.

BTW, all students at our school are involved in teaching. By helping a lower grade learn a technique, it expands your own knowledge of the particular technique, as you say in your post Jointlock.

[Tosh]

Originally posted by JohnG
I've always said that you can't really claim to understand something untill you've tried to show it someone else.

Agreed. Since getting my BB I've been involved in teaching and taking the school I am at. I feel that it should be compulsory that BB to be tested on thier ability to rely information as well as perfom it.

I feel, as mentioned by jointlock , that my understanding of techniques has increased tenfold... and hope by that action that the students I teach get the benefit of the increased understanding.

[Chan Fan]

I couldn't agree more with you.

Teaching is an opportunity to refine and expand your knowledge of the expansive arsenal of techniques that Hapkido offers.

I make myself available to instruct several times a month, not only to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of martial artists, but also to use this as an opportunity to refresh my memory and understanding of lower belt techniques that I don't often get to practice during my training.

Plus, the enthusiasm of beginners can often rub off on those of us who have been training forever!

[Thomas]

I liked the post and agree with it. When we teach, I think we really learn even more. Additionally, I find myself watching other teachers even closer for additional bits of wisdom as well.

As for your question about having "teaching" as a part of the duties of the black belts, we do. We do not expect that every black belt will become an "instructor" but we try to teach them how to teach, through a kind of internship. By watching students teach, we get an idea of how deeply they understand the technique and how well they can articulate it. It is part of the informal evaluation.

[Shaolin Dragon]

Teaching as a tool for learning isn't just restricted in MA. I have found that whatever you are teaching, it helps to further your understanding of the subject.
I feel that every student should be involved in teaching, as there is nothing which helps you to comprehend something more.

[shadow warrior]

I never promote a student to the next level until they can teach what they are required to know on at least a basic level. Be capable of correcting natural mistakes. Contrived mistakes are more difficult to fix because they usually involve a student with previous training!

Growing through teaching is one way that you can forever expand you understanding of technique.

To do something is one thing - to teach it, is a different kettle of fish.

Teaching ability should be mandatory for promotion at any coloured belt level.