helpful additional experience

[gimgamgommetje]

I'd like to know about experiences or courses that could increase the quality of my teaching.

 

I'd like to focuss mainly on self defense, but for specific groups such as sertain professions and for example people with a disabillity.

 

Do you have experience with this?

 

Could you recommend some things? Ofcourse I'm taking instructor courses to get knowledge as well certification but I wanna be better than just certified.

 

Would it for example make a big difference if you do volontary work with older people, disabled people, children, etc.

 

Would that make enough differenmce to be worth the time.

 

Have you done that kind of things yourself?

 

Do you think it's important to get additional courses in other subject such as management, psychology etc. what would you recommend?

 

What would you look for if you had to hire a self defense instructor to your company or organisation?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

OOPS! I double posted...sorry

 

Edited April 8, 2004 by Shorinryu Sensei

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I used to be a school teacher and have 5 1/2 years of education classes on how to teach people, so I'd recommend, if you can, taking some classes in psychology, speaking, communication, planning, problem solving, etc.

 

Are you comfortable in front of people teaching? Are you expressing yourself clearly when you explain something to them, or are htey asking for clarification at almost every comment that comes out of your mouth?

 

Perhaps have a fellow, more experienced sensei watch a class or two of yours. Ask one who's teaching style you yourself like, and see what he/she thinks needs improving.

 

One thing I do know is that not all people make good teachers, regardless of how knowledgable of the subject they are. An example would be my first black belt I promoted, then he moved to another part of the state. He's an excellent martial artist, but a really poor reacher. He has no patience with people that don't learn quickly or train hard.

 

Just some ideas.

[gimgamgommetje]

actually I occasionaly teach boxing to adults, and I gave a self defense course on a primary school. I've got good feed back so far.

 

Therefor I think I can teach, but I would like to know how to teach better.

 

One thing I'm doing is taking instructors courses. The one I'm taking now is in krav maga but I'll take courses in some other aspects of self defense as well.

 

The thing I wonder also is, would I need extra knowledge to teach sertain groups of people?

 

For example, if i want to teach disabled people , should I work with them first so I understand what I'm talking about? exploring the market so to speak? Have you guys done that kind of things? would it pay off?

[embm]

Look at CDT. https://www.cdt-training.com

[Shorinryu Sensei]

actually I occasionaly teach boxing to adults, and I gave a self defense course on a primary school. I've got good feed back so far.

 

Therefor I think I can teach, but I would like to know how to teach better.

 

One thing I'm doing is taking instructors courses. The one I'm taking now is in krav maga but I'll take courses in some other aspects of self defense as well.

 

The thing I wonder also is, would I need extra knowledge to teach sertain groups of people?

 

For example, if i want to teach disabled people , should I work with them first so I understand what I'm talking about? exploring the market so to speak? Have you guys done that kind of things? would it pay off?

 

Just a thought, and realizing of course I've never seen you teach..."thinking" you can teach, and being able to are two completely different things. I've seen some really terrible teachers in schools and dojo's in may time, and I'm sure if you asked any of them if they thought they could teach, they would say they could. I'd suggest again, to bring in an outside sensei, or even a school teacher if you are on friendly terms with one, and have them watch your class and critique it.

 

As for practicing on disabled people before teaching a class in it...no, I don't think that would be necessary. However, do some research ahead of time and get a game plan on how you will approach them, and teach them. What modifications to techniques will you need to do. Any special considerations and the like. For example, I've taught people that were deaf, or blind, in wheelchairs and permanently using crutches. Each has its own unique aspects and concerns with addressing their handicaps. In my current class, we have bad backs, knees and necks, so certain techniques need to be modified or adjusted to take those concerns into account.

 

Are you looking right now at a specific handicapped group, such as deaf people? Maybe I can offer some suggestions. I think the key thing with dealing with people with disabilities is to be flexible in your approach to their training. keep in mind that htey are used to doors being shut on them sometimes, and you don't want to do that to them. I believe that ANYBODY cany learn the martial arts to the best of their abilities, regardless of handicaps. These people are used to working hard, and could possibly be the best students you've ever had.