Japanese vs english in training

[mid life crisis]

My Sensei uses, almost exclusively, english in our training. (i.e. downward block, lunge punch, front snap kick etc.)Does anyone else do this. In going to another dojo I found it very difficult to follow along. Luckily after explaining my problem to the Sensei he "translated" for me. But I was somewhat embarrased and wondered if I was missing something important.

[stoneheart]

I myself prefer to use the Japanese/Okinawan terminology when possible. My old sensei used to call out the names of the techniques we were drilling and then would immediately follow with the English translation. I found that user friendly for newbies. In intermediate-advanced classes, he used the Japanese terms exclusively.

[patusai]

Myteacher--- one did english with Japanese and the other Japanese with english. To this day it is difficult for me sometimes

[bushido_man96]

In the ATA, we used all English. In my new association, we use Korean. Personnally, I don't see why we don't just use English. If I can't say the technique in Japanese or Korean, it doesn't make it less of a technique. I think it is all formalities.

[lordtariel]

We do both in our dojo. If our sensei's running us through some complicated combinations or something, sometimes he uses english because we're already using most of our brain power trying to get them working correctly. Part of the our belt requirements are vocabulary.

[stoneheart]

Personnally, I don't see why we don't just use English.

Why call it taekwondo, then? Just say you are practicing American Foot-Boxing.

[Jiffy]

I personally find Japanese easier to use in Karate, but beginners generally find it harder. In other styles I've trained in, they use English only.

[cathal]

In our dojo we teach the Japanese from day one. We use both for beginners, and as you progress we move into mostly Japanese. But we aren't exclusively Japanese at this point.

[ShotokanKid]

We go back and forth. Usually, with the advanced class, he uses maybe 90+% Japanese, but with beginner and intermediate, he uses only some Japanese.

[Brandon Fisher]

Both so that people can associate with the terminology in their native language and also know it in a foreign language also.