Teaching Beginners

So I thought I would kick of the blog proper with a few thoughts on teaching beginners course. As we have a course running at the moment, and as not all the Shodans have taught or assisted on a course yet, it seemed like a good point to say a few words.

Before I get into the meat of it, I will just say that I have taught a fair few courses now, but in the grand scheme of things there are people out there with much more experience of teaching then me. This post is really my thoughts on the subject based on my experience.

So, I am going to split this into two parts: teaching the course and what you as the instructor can get from it.

We run our beginners courses for 8 weeks and that seems to work. There is an argument for making them 10 or even 12, but that is for another time. I have produced a lesson plan for those 8 week, which is available on request. The lesson plan has been used by me and others a couple of times and seems to work.

• There is a fair amount in each weeks plan, so you need to be mindful of the time. Very easy to do too much talking and then have to rush the second half of the lesson.
• On the flip side don't rush it. There is a lot for the beginners to take in. Getting half way through week fours lesson in week three is just a waste as you will almost certainly have to redo lesson three.
• Always offer to show a technique again. 
• Always ask if anyone has a question. There aren't any silly questions (well there are) so don't give the impression that there are.
• Don't try and correct every little error in technique. You will run out of time and it will be info overload. Remember they are learning and that you are looking to teach the very basic parts of Kendo.  
• Remember that not all the beginners will pick things up, so you will need adjust you pace depending on  the class. 
• Try and be positive. Even when pointing out a issue with technique try and point up something that the beginner is doing well.
• Talk less, get them to do more. The more you talk the less they get to practice.
• If there are two of you teaching, make sure that one of you takes a lead role and that the other assists. It works less well if you both try and lead. Decide who is doing what and stick to it. Don't contradict each other. If you think you partner had made a mistake for missed something, a quiet word is the best way.
• Be very mindful of health and safety! 
• Remember that you were a beginner once! 

So, what can you get from teaching or assisting on a beginners course? The answer is that it will improve your Kendo. Why? Well because you will have to think about what you are teaching and answer questions about what you are teaching. I don't think I am yet to teach a course where I didn't have one small revelatory moment about my Kendo. The simple act of explaining something will often produce a new or deeper understanding of the subject and Kendo is no exception. Very often you will see something in an issue a beginner is having that directly relate to an issue you have had. Help to fix there issue can help you t understand yours.

It's worth thinking, as you teach and then finish a class and then go onto access the standard of the beginners you have taught, that all their bad habits are yours. They will tend to copy what you do rather than do what you say, so your technique, posture and reiho must be good.

All in all it's a worthwhile activity and there is much to be gained.

Your thoughts...