Quick Review

Basics To Look For In a School or Teaching Environment

Politeness of teachers and staff

• Instructors and staff should show respect for each other and their students.
• Staff should work as a team.
• Are they concerned more with their egos or the student's learning?

Concern for meeting your needs

• They should ask about your reasons for wanting to study martial arts.
• They should tell you how they can or cannot meet those needs.
• If they don't seem interested or immediately try to get you to sign a contract, leave!

For children

• Do the children seem to be having fun in class or are they intimidated?
• Are they really teaching martial arts or is it just day care?
• Is there an appearance of order and self control among the students?
• Beware of instructors who do not allow parents to watch.

Safety

• Ask them how safe training at their facility is.
• Ask if the instructors are CPR and First Aid certified.
• Ask if there have been any recent injuries and what were they?
• Safety equipment should be used during sparring. Beginner students should not spar until they have learned good control and technique.
• The training area should have a properly padded floor.

Cleanliness of facility

• Take a look around, are the dressing rooms and bathrooms clean?
• Does it smell near the shoe cases or on the training floor?
• Are the training materials neatly stored or do they litter the training area?

Experience of the teachers

• Did they earn their black belt at this school?
• Did they actually get their black belt in the same style they are teaching you?
• Will you have the same instructor each time you come to class?
• What do the instructors do to further their learning? If they have stopped learning it is likely what they are teaching is not the most updated or effective training regimen.

Curriculum laid out in a clear and easy to follow manner

• Do they have a training manual or handbook?
• Do they use lesson plans for the classes, or does the instructor teach what he or she feels like each class?
• An instructor should be able to clearly outline what you need to know to go to the next higher rank.

Watch students during classes

• Are they enjoying learning?
• Are they comfortable with the instructor or do they act fearful or tense?
• Are the students comfortable asking questions in the class?
• Talk to students before you leave. Ask them how they like it, and do so preferably out of the instructor's presence.