How the Japanese view of the black belt

[PhotonGuy]

No, but it’s the kindest.

No the kindest response would be one where you respond with the answers I asked for in post #286.

 

[PhotonGuy]

PhotonGuy is speaking of his expectation of Japanese instructors in the US teaching things the Japanese way. Frankly, I don't know what THAT is.

But the underlying implication here is that the Japanese instructors are expecting students in other countries to conform to the Japanese ways of doing things (whatever they maybe).

I'm simply expressing doubts on this. Because if the roles are reversed (i.e., I'm teaching something in a foreign country), I'd be expecting to "do as the Romans do."

Well even if Japanese instructors are going to teach the American way (when they're teaching in the USA) if they have a large gap between the ranks of 1st Kyu and 1st Dan, where its much harder and/or takes much longer to get from 1st Kyu to 1st Dan than it does to get from 2nd Kyu to 1st Kyu, regardless if they're teaching in Japan or in the USA or anywhere else, I think its silly and unbalanced.

If there is going to be a big gap between 1st Kyu and !st Dan than it would stand to reason that there would be ranks in between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan, if it's much harder and/or takes much longer to get from 1st Kyu to 1st Dan than it does to get from 2nd Kyu to 1st Kyu than there should be ranks in between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan, makes sense doesn't it?

 

[HighKick]

If I’m missing something, please let me know. I’m dipping in and out of this thread.

But I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t you teach something how you like? Whether that is “the American way” or some other way? I admit, I’m not sure what “American Way” actually means, but why not?

This really is a pet-pe eve of mine. No matter what part of the world a person lives in, why Not teach in your native language? Heck, it is hard enough getting the curriculum down with good technique. Why have people worry over the pronunciation or spelling of a technique? How does that help the person on their path to martial arts? If a school wants to have a historical component to their curriculum, great, But, teach it in your native language to make it easier.

When I first started taking TKD, my GM had not been in the states very long and there was a considerable communication gap. I actively tried to learn relevant Korean terms and he was actively learning the English language. So, I ended up learning quite a lot of Korean language (relative to TKD) but my GM never made it a requirement and used English terms. He has always said there should be too much for a person in a good, comprehensive curriculum to worry about how to say/spell movements/drills, And I fully agree.