Poll: Would you prefer to train under a Korean instructor?

[Soo Min]

well,did this boy speak fluent English?That might of been the case.

well enough. he understood english better than he could speak it, and my teahcer translated what he didn't know into korean for him. but you're right, it could have been the case.

[Goju_boi]

wow an American that also speaks Korean.Now I don't see why he left.In my school theres this guy that only speaks spanish.Before I enrolled there nobody translated for him,and he still stayed there regardless.He could of taken up Aikido since the intructor spoke spanish,but he remained loyal to his teacher.Now that I'm there he has no problem though.It's not that nobody else there spoke spanish it's just that most of the people tha did spoke it very poorly.

[Rokusho_Tao]

I agree with my fellow Youn Wha trainer... The race shouldn't matter of a teacher.

[Goju_boi]

The only thing that should matter really is that if he/she is a good teacher. Then theres also those people that don't want a female trainer,it never ends.

[Ottman]

I agree that the quality of teaching is all that matters, but I picked westerner over Korean, (even though I thought that the choices here were rather limited) because of all the Korean Masters I have met (which amounts to around 6 or 7) they have all been profiteering, ego-maniacs, so I guess I'm just biased because of my experience. This does not speak anything about their teaching ability, as I haven't ever had a class with a Korean master. It's just my perception of their character, based on the ones I have interacted with, which I think is a big part of a good, effective instructor.

[Goju_boi]

Same here, I've never had a Asian instructor.That doesn't bother me because the one I train with is good enough.

[aefibird]

I've trained with instructors from Western countries and from Asian countries. As long as they're a great instructor then it doesn't matter to me. There are good and bad teachers from every country; not all Asian instructors are automatically great, just because they are from the "home" country of their art.

[coralreefer_1]

I voted that I would prefer a korean instructor, but there are good and bad points to each.

When I had a Korean instructor, he was not my friend. he just taught class and left for his office. The class was great, but he wasnt very interested in getting to know his students. One person said before that they thought Korean instructors were ego-maniacs and only concerned with business. I wont say that is all true, but I will say this..after being here in Korea ar this college, the Korean students seem to think they are the best at Taekwondo. When they see me in my dobak, they used to laugh. Apparently american people are not supposed to be good at taekwondo. So they laugh, that is..until they actually SEE my taekwondo..them the laughing stops! I wont say I am the best at Taekwondo at this college, but I am easily in the top 5% here. But I can understand that previous posters opinion about Korean instructors, because at least the Korean I have met seem to think only Korean people can be good at taekwondo.. But I feel better about studying from a Korean anyway, even with the ego..because..maybe im stupid for feeling this way, but I feel like Im getting better or true taekwondo from a Korean. Of course..there are crappy Korean instructors out there, and I know all of them aren't great, but its just my feeling. Its kind of like this..sometimes I teach English here in Korea, and the parents prefer that their child learn from me, the American..even thought the Korean girl i work with can speak nearly perfect english. I am a native speaker, so they are willing to pay alot more money for that.

The american instructors I had., the were good too. They were very friendly, and would actually get involved with the lives of us students. When I say get involved..i dont just mean asking about your homework, but going out for drinks together, or helping me move into a new apartment..that kind of thing. I never had a Korean instructor who was like that.

As has been said many many many times before, quality varies from person to person, and you really cant judge an instructor just by their nationality. If you really care about it.you have to get in there and meet them face to face, watch some classes, and decide for yourself.

Todd

[Ottman]

the Korean students seem to think they are the best at Taekwondo.

How come they can't seem to win at the olympics then? Not to bring up the 'timeless' debate about olympic style sparring as opposed to every other type of sparring, and the whole WTF vs. ITF thing too. I've heard more than enough of that.

I guess I can understand parents wanting their children to learn from a native speaker, since even though your Korean colleague can speak perfect english, not many americans can, and even fewer do. I know I used to be able to formulate perfectly grammatically correct sentences in spanish, but then I went to Mexico and everyone there speaks in their own style of slang, as is the case everywhere in the world. It took me a while to assimilate most of it into my own spanish, and by that time I had to leave. Think back to your own english classes in high school. Do you ever really use the grammar and structure that was taught to you there? I know I rarely use it in full, because if I did, my friends would have no idea what I'm talking about.

The same can relate to martial arts. You can break down styles that are local to certain areas of the world, but if you train in America, even if it's with a Korean master, then travel to Korea, I doubt the training and specifics would be the same, even though the style is the same. I doubt many masters have total control over the specifics of how their students train. Whenever there are groups of people doing something, a group mentality will evolve to acertain extent, and regardless of whether this group is training in the same style as that group, there will definitely be differences between each.

[IcemanSK]

I voted that I would prefer a korean instructor, but there are good and bad points to each.

When I had a Korean instructor, he was not my friend. he just taught class and left for his office. The class was great, but he wasnt very interested in getting to know his students. One person said before that they thought Korean instructors were ego-maniacs and only concerned with business. I wont say that is all true, but I will say this..after being here in Korea ar this college, the Korean students seem to think they are the best at Taekwondo. When they see me in my dobak, they used to laugh. Apparently american people are not supposed to be good at taekwondo. So they laugh, that is..until they actually SEE my taekwondo..them the laughing stops! I wont say I am the best at Taekwondo at this college, but I am easily in the top 5% here. But I can understand that previous posters opinion about Korean instructors, because at least the Korean I have met seem to think only Korean people can be good at taekwondo.. But I feel better about studying from a Korean anyway, even with the ego..because..maybe im stupid for feeling this way, but I feel like Im getting better or true taekwondo from a Korean. Of course..there are crappy Korean instructors out there, and I know all of them aren't great, but its just my feeling. Its kind of like this..sometimes I teach English here in Korea, and the parents prefer that their child learn from me, the American..even thought the Korean girl i work with can speak nearly perfect english. I am a native speaker, so they are willing to pay alot more money for that.

The american instructors I had., the were good too. They were very friendly, and would actually get involved with the lives of us students. When I say get involved..i dont just mean asking about your homework, but going out for drinks together, or helping me move into a new apartment..that kind of thing. I never had a Korean instructor who was like that.

As has been said many many many times before, quality varies from person to person, and you really cant judge an instructor just by their nationality. If you really care about it.you have to get in there and meet them face to face, watch some classes, and decide for yourself.

Todd

I suppose its a bit like when Americans see a Korean or Japanese baseball player. "How good can HE be?" Until they actually see them play.

I think you're right, too about the trade off. Korean instructors tend to be less involved in their students lives. (Yes, I'm generalizing) Americans tend to want more of a connection w/ students.

Todd, I'm glad you're having a good experience in Korea. I'lll bet you'll make a great instructor when you come back to the states. Full of a new perspective.