Private Lesson Students' Pace

[scottnshelly]

What is the difference in time lapse between belts for a student that only goes to regular classes and a student that only goes to private lessons, in your experience?

I’m no stranger to teaching private lessons, but that is usually done as a supplement to regular classes. I’ve recently had an opportunity to teach two students with no prior experience through only private lessons. Their progress seems to be quite quicker than previous students that attended only or mostly group classes.

We usually go for three hours, once or twice a week; I know that makes a difference as well. I’d estimate we’ve done roughly 20 lessons. We haven’t done any belts or rankings yet (they’re there for the learning, not the belts) but if I took them to any similar styled-dojang within 100 miles they’d be able to pass as orange belts easily. At the rate they’re going they’ll be at blue belt within 6 months, brown belt within a year and black belt before 2 years; this is very fast compared to my previous students who train for at least 4 years for black.

I think part of it is the longer sessions, part is the one-on-one (more like one-on-two), part is the superior teaching methods (I’m awesome) and part is that they are retaining information well and practicing hard.

Is this a common pace for private lesson-exclusive students?

[Sensei Rick]

part is the superior teaching methods (I’m awesome) and part is that they are retaining information well and practicing hard.

LOL, I believe that you are awsome!! I might through in another reason. Motivation! When you are paying the price for privates you are more likely to be motivated to progress very quickly. Meanwhile, you can more easily make corrections while only watching the two students at a time. I tended to be more strict with requirements and effort with privates.

I still feel that they're missing something in a private class though. Wether it's the competition with other students or the enviroment of comrodity, a group class has always produced better fighters for me personally. It sounds like your enjoying this too though, maybe they are feeding off your good energy. let me know your thoughts!

[bushido_man96]

Any time that you decrease the student-teacher ratio, you will notice an accelleration in the learning curve. You get to pick things out immediately, and then correct them. The students get instant feedback, and they don't blend into the background. I think this a trend with most private lessons.

[Zorbasan]

a student can progress much faster if taking private lessons. when in a class, you are basically working at the slowest students pace, when it is 1 on 1 you get your pace.

[scottnshelly]

I'm currently not charging them, I just like to teach these two so I don't mind doing it for free.

I agree though that a class setting can be very beneficial to a student's growth.

You are all correct that a class setting is working at the slowest student's pace. Luckily with these two the slowest one is still quite quick. We learned the first form in three lessons and the second form in two lessons. (Chun-Gi and Dan-Gun). We will be ready to start To-San this week.

I am enjoying this very much. I've also noticed that we are able to do the more "fun" stuff that we usually don't get to do with a large group. On the other hand, there are some great drills that can only be done efficiently with a large group.

Thanks.

[parkerlineage]

I believe that students' learning can be accelerated by a ridiculous amount with private lessons in conjunction with classes. At least in my style, one will not perform techniques on a body nearly as well without groups lessons - there's no reason to adapt! Also, there's less thought-pooling - I say that generally, of course.

If your system is only kata, then perhaps they will learn faster. And I say weapons come along much faster in private lessons. But not techniques, and definetely not sparring.

[Sensei Rick]

We learned the first form in three lessons and the second form in two lessons. (Chun-Gi and Dan-Gun). We will be ready to start To-San this week.

Ialways thought that you were a kenpo person, I had no idea you were TKD.

[bushido_man96]

I believe that students' learning can be accelerated by a ridiculous amount with private lessons in conjunction with classes. At least in my style, one will not perform techniques on a body nearly as well without groups lessons - there's no reason to adapt! Also, there's less thought-pooling - I say that generally, of course.

If your system is only kata, then perhaps they will learn faster. And I say weapons come along much faster in private lessons. But not techniques, and definetely not sparring.

Parkerlineage brings out some good points, here. I feel that a blend of private lessons and regular classes would benefit the students very well.

Incidentally, are you testing these two privately as well? Or do just move on to the next form when they have the previous one down? Just curious as to whether or not they are being promoted for rank, or just learning the material.

[Jiffy]

I think in some ways that a class environment is beneficial... but that's not the argument in question here.

As for the topic, I think that this would be normal. Concentrated/Private training can be much more productive as far as technique. Unfortunately, I believe it does little to speed the students ability to comprehend and fully understand the art and can therefore create a frustration when the physical abilities progress faster than the theoretical understanding and comprehension.

[lordtariel]

Our sensei took someone completely new and worked with him every day for six months on three techniques:

Block/Reverse Thrust

Front Kick

Thrust

He then entered him in a local tournament at the black belt level. The guy took first place.