Your Opinion

[bushido_man96]

a yellow sash would be able to teach someone that has had no experience.

if you know more than someone else, then you can teach them something beneficial. obviously you can only teach them up to your level.

as long as you only teach what you know, and not something you are learning it will be ok.

The problem with this statement is that you are assuming the yellow sash understands and performs the material as well as they would at a higher level. This isn't true. Just because I may have learned Seisan to receive my green belt doesn't mean at that point I was as qualified to teach it. My current years of experience have given me insight and refinement to my kata that enables me to teach it with a deeper understanding than I ever could have at greenbelt rank.

Could I show the pattern to someone as a green belt? Sure. Would I be have been able to teach it as effectively as an instructor should at my current level? No way.

With respect,

Sohan

of course they arent able to perform the technique as good as a black belt.

but they perform it well enuf to get passed white sash. so techniquely, if they teach a white sash they way they do it, they should also be able to get passed white sash.

the point isnt will the yellow sash be able to teach as well as the instructor, the point is that someone with no experience will get something out of learning from someone with experience, regardless of how much experience it is.

does ian thorpe teach me to swim? no. will i drown if thrown in the deep end? no.

There are good points on both sides here. The main question is to the quality of instruction. Knowing what to teach, and how to teach it, are just as important as being able to perform the material. There is no substitute for a quality instructor. Of course, it is difficult to become a good, quality instructor if you never get the chance to teach.

The important thing is to make sure that bad habits are not developed because of a lack of experience in teaching. You have to have the good foundation in order for the training to advance.

[Sohan]

a yellow sash would be able to teach someone that has had no experience.

if you know more than someone else, then you can teach them something beneficial. obviously you can only teach them up to your level.

as long as you only teach what you know, and not something you are learning it will be ok.

The problem with this statement is that you are assuming the yellow sash understands and performs the material as well as they would at a higher level. This isn't true. Just because I may have learned Seisan to receive my green belt doesn't mean at that point I was as qualified to teach it. My current years of experience have given me insight and refinement to my kata that enables me to teach it with a deeper understanding than I ever could have at greenbelt rank.

Could I show the pattern to someone as a green belt? Sure. Would I be have been able to teach it as effectively as an instructor should at my current level? No way.

With respect,

Sohan

of course they arent able to perform the technique as good as a black belt.

but they perform it well enuf to get passed white sash. so techniquely, if they teach a white sash they way they do it, they should also be able to get passed white sash.

the point isnt will the yellow sash be able to teach as well as the instructor, the point is that someone with no experience will get something out of learning from someone with experience, regardless of how much experience it is.

does ian thorpe teach me to swim? no. will i drown if thrown in the deep end? no.

For someone who only has a basic understanding of the techniques they've learned, to teach those techniques to someone else usually means that the person they teach them to will likely grasp them even less than they have. And if that person with the basic knowledge level teaches the technique incorrectly, which is highly probable, then the student ends up with bad habits that may someday get them killed.

If you want to learn a few techniques that look cool and will impress your friends, then this level of instruction is fine. But if you really want to defend yourself in a conflict where the other person wants to seriously hurt you, get training from a qualified and experienced instructor.

With respect,

Sohan

[jaymac]

So many good points brought up here. BlueDevil, I think it best to practice with someone whom you have trained with. You can still help/teach each other even though you are upper rank. Work basics from white belt on up. If your friend has interest, he should look to a proper training facility. Not that you do not have good teaching abilities, but liability issues, ranking issues, etc... are things that you may want to consider. If and when you can continue your training in your current style, or if you decide to completely switch, then take your buddy along. It takes several years to really have the experience and technique required to adequately pass on proper training to another person. To just teach him so you have a partner is not really benefiting him as much as yourself.

[bushido_man96]

Here is a dilema that I have seen happen in my school.

Once our adult students get to the rank of 1st dan recommended, they are required to teach so many hours of orientation, or help out with classes. What I have noticed is that class experience does not always translate into teaching experience. I can sit and watch a 1st dan show a technique to a new student, and then have them mimic it. Then, if they don't do it right, they say "no, like this," and then do the technique again, and try to get them to mimic again. Not everyone can learn this way.

I guess what I am getting at is that there is more to teaching than the "monkey see, monkey do" philosophy. I believe that before a black belt is thrown into the fire, it is the chief instructor's responsibility to teach the black belts how to teach.

Some people are natural teachers. Some are not. But everyone can learn how, if they are shown the way.

[Brandon Fisher]

I disagree that everyone can be taught how to teach. There are teachers and then there are those who are not. Methods can be taught but that doesn't always settle in. Those that have the ability and are unsure of themselves they can be taught easily and they can grow into great teachers.

I was one of the lucky ones I am a teacher by nature I have a way about me of being able to teach things easily. New ideas of methods click with me sometimes in the middle of classes and I am always thinking of new ways. My wife is the same way. Some will never have that joy and I think its unfortunate some like I said can develop it.

[bushido_man96]

I understand what you are saying, Brandon, and you are probably right. Perhaps I should have said that everyone can be taught methods of teaching. If that is the case, then, it becomes the responsibility of the chief instructor to evaluate each candidate and then decide who can perform the task, and help them cultivate it.

[Brandon Fisher]

I understand what you are saying, Brandon, and you are probably right. Perhaps I should have said that everyone can be taught methods of teaching. If that is the case, then, it becomes the responsibility of the chief instructor to evaluate each candidate and then decide who can perform the task, and help them cultivate it.

I hope I didn't come across being offensive I have seen way to many people be called teachers that had no clue but they had a certificate saying they were certified to teach.

[bushido_man96]

I understand what you are saying, Brandon, and you are probably right. Perhaps I should have said that everyone can be taught methods of teaching. If that is the case, then, it becomes the responsibility of the chief instructor to evaluate each candidate and then decide who can perform the task, and help them cultivate it.

I hope I didn't come across being offensive I have seen way to many people be called teachers that had no clue but they had a certificate saying they were certified to teach.

Oh, no, no offences taken here. You're cool.

[Brandon Fisher]