Thursday, March 18, 2010
Some thoughts on teaching and learning
This may take more than one post! It is my feeling and belief that when a qualified Kung Fu (or otherwise) person wants to teach (at least in America), it is fine. I don't see any problem with it, although there are many out there that do. There is even talk of "regulating" the martial arts teaching profession...boy, that would kill it fast! Yes, there are charlatains out there who would simply make things up or half-way teach, or those that just have not had a lot of instruction. It could also be those who are just not good teachers or who simply don't know enough to teach. That is naturally a thing of perception with some. Some long-time teachers may not want the competition or they may never feel that a student is "ready" to teach "his" art. Frankly, I know a karate person in my area (Cenla) that sort of inherited his dojo when he was a green belt. He was basically learning as he was teaching and he did a terrific job. Today, he not only has a large martial art school, but is a great fighter and successful mma promoter in the area. My own Sensei started teaching when he was 14 and a brown belt. His teacher, the Grandmaster, was either not there a lot or he just wanted others to teach in order to learn. This, I think, can be a legitimate way to learn. I think most would agree that a person learns a lot more when teaching because he/she is forced to learn it and learn it fast. On another slightly different subject, when searching for a Kung Fu or Wing Chun school (or any martial school for that matter), I have some things I think a person should look for: First, when you first meet with the Sifu or Sensei, ask if the Sifu or school has some sort of written book or document that spells out exactly what will be taught and hopefully learned. My Sensei in Tiogo (Dan Guilliland) put together a terrific booklet that not only explained the techniques, but indicated exactly what was needed to graduate from one level to the next and about how long it should take. It was very explicit so a student knew exactly what it would take to make blue belt or brown belt or whatever. Of course, I realize that our karate art is and was technique driven (there are many somewhat hidden therories though in the kata so its not all technique). I also understand that arts like Wing Chun are "principle" oriented and that it is somewhat difficult to put together that sort of book or booklet. It does basically no good though to just come out with a booklet that has almost nothing in it that can be simply understood and that will show the student exactly what is needed to go from one level to another. I think it is somewhat shameless for a teacher to add something to the curriculum that may add years to the students time to advance when these things are generally not in traditional Wing Chun. Many dollars are made that way because many Wing Chun students are "hooked" on the art and will do almost anything to stay with it. I am not accusing anyone here. Maybe, if the Sifu or Sensei wants to add or use his version of the art (a portion), he/she should first let the student advance the traditional way and THEN require the added material to become a "advanced" practitioner. Again, in American, it is US who decides when we feel we are ready to teach, not others. I would never teach my Sifu's art as a traditional art unless my Sifu gave me the go-ahead to do that. I would, can, and do teach the art as non-traditional Wing Chun and I feel that I am good at it. If I have a student (private) who wants to learn all of the traditional aspects of the art, I would certainly send or bring him/her to my Sifu. The next post will add to this discussion. Comments are welcomed (even angry ones).
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