should your Black belts pay for their lessons?

Question

I don't charge my senior Black belt, So What do YOU DO

I have a few Black Belts, some help with lessons some just come to train towards their next belt, some do both

Answer 1

They come to class, they learn, they should pay. If you have some of them teach on a regular basis, you could barter for class fee. Otherwisw in our school it's expected that BB should be able to teach once in a while, it's part of their training. The best way to know if you understand something and/or really own it, is to teach it. So it is really providing them with a priviledge to let them teach once in a while. Charge!!!

Answer 2

In most Japanese arts, there is an additional test for being a teacher. In karate, this is usually done at 3dan (degree).

Once the person is qualified as a teacher, they are often freed from paying for lessons. They may also receive payment for any classes that they teach.

To become a teacher, many places require students to teach to gain experience before they can even take the teacher test. This could be considered a kind of "practicum" that the student must fulfill to be given approval as a teacher. It is kind of hard to be considered a teacher if you don't have experience teaching...

I think this is an ideal process. The 1dan, 2 dan must gain experience to lead the class, inspire and motivate the students, etc. This is usually done under the teacher's watchful eyes, so they can be given feedback. This helps the future teacher become a better teacher.

If for some reason, the black belt is teaching without his teacher watching then he should probably be paid - but maybe only a little "thank you" type payment. They still arent a full teacher. They arent planning the curriculum, dealing with full management, ensuring the dojo level is up to the standards set, etc, etc. They have lead one class. They are still only gaining experience as a practicum. Anyone who has done a practicum knows that the pay is only a portion of the regular pay but the experience gained from the practicum is what is important.

So IMHO, as long as the black belts are not taken advantage of and the process is explained clearly, black belts should pay for classes until they actually become teachers (whether 1st dan, or second or 3rd degree...).

Answer 3

Hi there

I think the answer depends on lots of different things. If your club is financially wealthy and the black belts help out in class then no they should train for free. On the other hand if you have low numbers then yes they should contribute to running costs as its just as important for them for the club to survive.

Money and martial arts don't mix. For me the paying for lessons is all about honor and respect and not for the service although it usually starts out that way for most new students.

This is a two way thing in my opinion. If a student can no longer afford to train should they have to stop training? No way.

Running a good club is all about finding the balance which is what martial arts is all about.


Best wishes

idai

Answer 4

I had this discussion with my instructor tonight as I now have been trusted enough to teach (well take the warm-up) and so asked if I could be let off with paying class fees. 'No' came the answer as my teaching was part of my training, don't think thats fair but I am not a black belt.

Answer 5

I think if someone has always paid for lessons and they are still learning from you and you still have material to offer beyond senior blackbelt (IE a 2nd or 3rd degree black belt)then yes they should continue to pay for lessons.

If you dont have anymore material to offer and your student just wants to come to your school/dojo just to train and keep practicing, then no.

Answer 6

In my association, we provide instructor certifications (different from black belt ranking) and we base our tuition on that instructor certification. We have :

Associate Instructors of MA (minimum of 1st Dan)
Instructors of MA (minimum of 2nd Dan)
Senior Instructors of MA (Minimum of 3rd Dan)
Master Instructors of MA (Minimum of 4th Dan)
Professor of MA (Minimum of 7th Dan)

We provide 25% discount for all AMA's, 50% for all IMA's, 75% for all SMA's, and 100% for all Masters and Professors who are actively teaching and who meet our annual continuing education credit minimum standards. This recognizes their committment and donation fo time, energy, and knowledge to our association.

For black belt non-certified instructors who do not teach or have any interest in becoming a certified instructor, they are required to pay annual tuition just as every other student does.

Feel free to check out our website information on our instructor training program at:

www.TriangleMAA.org/ Instructor Resources

I feel that if Dan holders are giving back and acting as true role models, then they should get a tuition break. If they are simply training and learning but returning nothing solid to the program, then they should be paying tuition just as every other student does. My certified instructors are considered staff members who receive special training, we meet for quarterly dinners, and we have a unique recognition system within the Instructor Corps. It has worked very well for us over the last nine years.


Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 7

iv been a black belt 4 2 years now, and this year iv decided to move club. it depends on how long ur blackbelts teach ur otha students and what are they teaching, i tought most of the cata's but i still had to pay for lessons witch i didnt mind, but there were alot of younger ones and i felt that i was often used for looking after them. my advise is to give ur blackbelts who are relied on 2 teach a discount. its only fair.

Answer 8

you say senior black belt as though you only have one? at the academy we go to there are over 30 senior black belts, so yes they should pay as even though there black belt you still have alot to learn!

Answer 9

If you rely on your black belts to teach others, my suggestion is to take that as payment for their individual instruction. No matter what level of belt... the holder is always a student.

Answer 10

I used to not charge them but those days are gone since they tend to either eventually drop out or don't appreciate it and they do require time just like other students for their continued development and training. So I charge them a reduced amount, they never pay retail for any gear or equipment and they tend to not take things so much for granted.