Thoughts please

[sensei8]

Does anybody think that it puts an unnecessary burden upon our students to require them to learn a foreign language??

The question isn't whether or not teaching Japanese terms is necessary, because it's not, but whether it's worth the trouble. To answer that, you have to decide how beneficial it is and how hard it is.

What do you gain? In my opinion, it's one of the things that separates most martial arts training from things like boxing and wrestling. You're teaching more than a collection of techniques and strategy. You're introducing students to a new philosophy and culture. Learning Japanese terms helps them connect to the material and to feel more a part of the dojo. It enriches the experience.

How hard is it to learn? It's harder for some than others, but that's true about anything, from a reverse punch to a complex kata to whatever. If a student has trouble with something, you work them through it. If that doesn't work, maybe you make allowances, but you don't drop it from the curriculum.

And if you do decide not to teach Japanese terms, how far do you take it? Do you not make them learn the name of the style? Do you not teach the names of the kata? Do you not teach your students what a dojo is or a gi or a sensei? I'm fine with a kid in a martial arts studio, wearing a uniform, learning Orange Belt Form #1 of the American Family Self Defense System from Mister Kevin, but I doubt what's being taught would be a very traditional, Japanese style.

Great post!

When I started Shorin Ryu, my teacher only counted in Japanese. We knew the correct names of the Kata and weapons, but other than that my teacher taught in English (until he started teaching in Hebrew, long story). His reasoning was that he wanted to strip the Eastern mysticism out of what he taught and that was important to him, and he was a good teacher and so I didn't care, and I still don't, I think my MA education was good and I don't feel that I am any less of a Martial Artist for not knowing the terms in Japanese. That being said, when I started using this forum I often had to look up terms, and that was frustrating. I still have to look up terms from time to time, but I'm just less frustrated by it now. So a good reason to teach the Japanese in class is so that your students can engage in the discourse with students who are taught the terminology without having to stop the conversation to get definitions. I also don't think that it is a burden to teach it. You aren't asking the students to learn another language, just a handful of terms that are related to the art that you are teaching. Currently I'm going through the process of learning Italian (Friulian, really, but close enough) terms for wma and it doesn't feel burdensome.

Solid post, as well!!