Like ving tsun, teaching is a skill - one that takes nurturing, understanding and practice. People learn in vastly different ways, and should be taught accordingly. Some teachers pass on the skills in the same manner they were taught, and others teach according to their own personal learning style.
In order to teach effectively, an instructor has to recognize the learning style of the student. Some students are tactile and must be shown, others respond well to logical explanation, still others need to just be pointed in the right direction and allowed to figure it out on their own. A few need to be physically convinced of effectiveness before they will accept and learn the lesson. Some students need to be shown in great detail while others may only need to be shown conceptually and allowed to play with and explore. Does a student stand back and observe because they like to gather as much information as possible before deciding how to proceed, or does he jump right in?
Once the skilled instructor knows how the student learns best, she can teach the skills in a way that can be best received and understood.
The instructor should strive for the ability to teach the same techniques as were taught to her, but not necessarily in the same manner. For example, let's say she was taught by a tough guy who was a proficient fighter, and who believed pain was the best motivator. That belief and instructional method may be true and effective for that instructor, but is probably not true for all students. If an instructor cannot cater to the different learning styles of her students, the only type of student who will still be around after a few years will be those of the same learning style as the instructor. When the teaching style matches the learning style, the school and students will flourish. A teaching method must change to match the student, the way a technique must change to meet an attack; apply this ving tsun principle to the teaching style.
Interview with Kung Fu Master Wayne Belonoha
Martial Edge is in conversation with 7th Dan kung fu master, Wayne Belonoha. The author of “Wing Chun Compendium” Lesley Jackson finds out what makes martial arts master tick.
As a student, do you find your instructor forces you to learn a certain way? Do they punch you hard and tell you that that's the way it's taught and that's it. Are they too cerebral and leave you longing for a good hard workout? Do they provide a balanced workout that is comfortable yet challenging? A class should make the student welcome and create an environment where they can learn at their own pace and by their own methods. Just like their kung fu, a good instructor will always be checking for ways to continuously improve their teaching. In no time, the school will be full of enthusiastic students who are happy and enjoy studying the great art of ving tsun.