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RMS86
RMS86's picture
Teaching Skills

 

Hi all,

What do you think are the most important skills for a martial arts instructor to have, why, and how do you apply them?

I’m thinking along the lines of public speaking, interpersonal, and class time management skills.

ky0han
ky0han's picture

Hi,

I think that they are all important skills. You have to be able to articulate specifics. I tell my students all them time, they should do as I tell them not as I show them :o). And you have to figure out how you can help each of them individually at certain problems. Time management is not soooo important when the training is on a regular base. On seminars on the other hand, you should find a way to make that seminar a round self contained thing, so nobody has the feeling something is missing.

The most important part is that the instructor knows what he is doing and that he can explain why his students are doing a particular exercise. That reference to the context is most important at least in my eyes. As a teacher you have the responsibility to tell them students what the deal is. Most teachers teach traditional (sports) karate and advertise that with self defense and what not. Most of them do that unintentionaly, they simply don't know better because they were thaught so.

Regards Holger

Zach Zinn
Zach Zinn's picture

Being able to simplify seemingly complex concepts.

Tau
Tau's picture

Enthusiasm and a desire to teach to the very best of their ability.

Andrew Carr-Locke
Andrew Carr-Locke's picture

Honesty, Authenticity, Safety.

Gary Chamberlain
Gary Chamberlain's picture

I know it's not MA but I think there's a lot of good advice here from the RKC (Kettlebells) certification.

I am an RKC therefore I shall:

  1. Represent my school with honor in my professional and personal life.
  2. Treat my 'victims' with respect and tough love.
  3. Carry my strength with modesty. Remember that my job is to teach, not to impress.
  4. Never overstep the boundaries of my expertise and be humble enough to say, "I don't know."
  5. Never stop improving my instructor skills and enhancing my own strength.
  6. Conduct myself as a gentleman or a lady in public places, including the Internet. Exhibit restraint, the hallmark of a professional.

Gary

Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture

Gary Chamberlain wrote:

I know it's not MA but I think there's a lot of good advice here from the RKC (Kettlebells) certification.

I am an RKC therefore I shall:

  1. Represent my school with honor in my professional and personal life.
  2. Treat my 'victims' with respect and tough love.
  3. Carry my strength with modesty. Remember that my job is to teach, not to impress.
  4. Never overstep the boundaries of my expertise and be humble enough to say, "I don't know."
  5. Never stop improving my instructor skills and enhancing my own strength.
  6. Conduct myself as a gentleman or a lady in public places, including the Internet. Exhibit restraint, the hallmark of a professional.

Gary

Gary,

Can't fault it, direct to the point and no frilly bits