i think gaining skill is encouragment enough. i also prefer to get to know who the “seniors” are then just identifying them by looking at their waste. almost every school i have trained at has used grading and that is fine with me. it does not do any harm really, i just think it is completly unecessary(except for instructors certification in large organizations). the fact that i think it is JUNK would not effect my decision in choosing a school however. i keep my opinion on the subject to myself unless it is brought up. i aware that my remarks are often brash, but it is how i feel. thanks for not getting agressive about it.
I think ranking systems help with the kiddy classes.
Fair comment, i dont think it would make much difference if my school graded or not. I would still have the same respect for my sifu and classmates. In fact i know that my sifu has thought about going back to the system he used to have where after 7 years or so you proved to him whether you were worthy of a black sash.
I suppose this is still a grading of sorts. As with all martial arts the proof is in the pudding whether you can use it or not in a real situation. I dont place too much importance on grades but feel they are a useful tool if used properly. Each to his / her own.
Thanks
A
oh and when i said “looking at their waste” i meant to say “looking at their waist”. i did not mean to imply that i examine their fecal matter.
One useful thing about grading from a teacher’s perspective is it gives you a quick and easy way to gauge a student’s level. This is most useful when you have big classes. People should not be forced to grade.
Nothing wrong with grading, IMHO, but the teacher should decide when a student is ready for grading.
Don’t like fixed time periods for grades and similar, everybody is different.
WTF? The only difference between a beginner and a sifu is CPR?
Originally posted by Tak
WTF? The only difference between a beginner and a sifu is CPR?
Maybe where you are.
In my homecountry everybody that has a drivers licence has undergone compulsory First-Aid & CPR training, plus each Motorvehicle needs to carry a fully stocked First-Aid Kit.
Grading
In essence, it is fair to say that any categorization is unnecessary and vain. This could be applied to martial arts, as well.
However, I feel that in today’s society a grading system defends its place quite well. That is not to say it is required, but the system - if well composed - holds its value.
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The student has a goal.
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The student can see who is where and thus follow the higher belts if practicing at the same time with them.
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The instructors can see who is progressing faster and might therefore considered to have some ambition.
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It would be very hard to teach beginners and advanced students in the same class every time.
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Organizing seminars would be very hard if no experience requirements were set. Beginners could not learn as well as advanced students would, so a complicated weapons form would be lost on the beginners. Some seminars, of course, can be open to all, but many times learning new forms or techniques is based on previously learned material.
Some of these reasons were mentioned before. There are other reasons, as well.
In the early days, many a Sifu knew his students personally. Nowadays, it is virtually impossible for a Sifu to really know all his students - and I am talking about a school with more than 100 students; there are many of them - especially if the Sifu has several schools in various locations.
Ergo, a grading system is not necessary, but it does make sense in many schools.
Mika