Class Schedule

Look at the class schedule. Make sure classes are offered at times you are able to attend. Depending on the size of the school, there may be separate classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced, so consider that your class schedule may change as you advance. 

Instructor

The instructor is one of the most important things you should consider in your decision.  The head instructor of the school should be knowledgeable, experienced, capable and most of all a good teacher.   When looking for a Taekwondo instructor, observe the teaching style of several instructors. Look for an instructor that:

• Starts and ends class with a formal salutation and demands formal courtesies during class.
• Always uses warm-up exercises before beginning stretching and strength exercises, and uses cool-down exercises at the end of class.
• Only uses medically correct exercises. Good instructors do not just blindly use old fashioned exercises they learned from their instructors; they investigate the purpose and effect of each exercise and discard any that are useless or potentially harmful. Overexertion or injury will slow a student's progress.
• Encourages students to do warm up, stretching, and conditioning exercises before class and at home, so that more class time can be spent teaching actual techniques. Good instructors stress to students that it is their responsibility maintain themselves in top physical condition.
• Maintains order, encourages team spirit, and ensures all students move together during exercises.
• Maintains strict, but not overbearing, discipline during class.
• Explains proper techniques and why they must be performed in the manner they are taught. Good instructors explain the physics behind each movement and explain each movement's component parts. If students correctly understand the physics of techniques, it makes it easier for them to understand why they must perform the techniques in the prescribed manner.
• Teaches the best techniques that they know. Good instructors tell students when they are teaching modified techniques or techniques that are replacing older techniques. They try to teach each student something new every class; but not more than the students can absorb and remember. Good instructors allow adequate class time for students to practice new techniques.
• Makes step-sparring, self-defense, forms, or free-sparring a part of every class.
• Attempts to make each class a fun experience for students.
• Always uses positive reinforcement—the most productive teaching method. Good instructors praise good performance by students when they notice it.  Never ridicules or embarrasses students under any circumstances; it can destroy their self-confidence. Good instructors try to build self-confidence and self-esteem in each student since it is essential to producing excellent Taekwondo students.
• Treats students with respect and ensures student dignity is maintained. Students refer to the instructor and each other as sir or ma'am. This helps all students, especially children; learn to be respectful of others.

Quality of Instructor

Instructors are similar to coaches. They do not have to be able to perform what they teach, but they must have the ability to get students to perform what they teach, and perform it well.  A good instructor loves teaching Taekwondo and can motivate students to love it also. Good instructors are able to point out specific things each student may do to improve his/her techniques. They are able to see the small things that may make a good technique a great technique. Good instructors motivate students to do more than they felt possible.

When looking for a good Taekwondo instructor, look for instructors that:

• Never tire of teaching.
• Never abdicate the role of instructor, even outside the dojang. Students and the public in general, watch everything instructors do, both inside and outside the dojang. Good instructors always present themselves as the epitome of Taekwondo values.
• Teach to the best of their ability and continually strive to improve their knowledge and skills. Good instructors constantly seek the latest teaching methods and Taekwondo techniques and then incorporate them into their instruction.
• Feel responsible for the welfare of their students. Good instructors encourage students to associate with their classmates and help students develop good contacts outside the dojang, such as professional services or business opportunities that may be beneficial to them.
• Maintain a formal relationship with their students and avoid social or personal familiarity. Instructors who have personal affairs with students lose student respect and may create uncontrollable situations or develop a dishonorable reputation.
• Never betray a trust given in confidence. Good instructors always set a good example. They continuously work to earn the respect of their students and never take the respect for granted.
• Have the highest level of personal integrity. Good instructors are always honest and never attempt to defraud students. They always make decisions based on what is best for their students and the dojang.
• Treat all students equally and show no favoritism. Good instructors ensure individual attention is distributed evenly amongst all students during a training session. They never strike or abuse students under any circumstances.
• Display a quiet and calm demeanor. Good instructors never appear frustrated or temperamental, even when under duress or in pain.
• An instructor is merely a student of his or her students. A good instructor is guided by his or her students and is only as good as his other students.

Who Teaches

Who teaches the classes? Does the head instructor teach most of the classes or does he or she only teach the advanced classes. If assistants teach beginner classes, what are their qualifications and experience? Ensure you watch classes taught by the person who will be teaching your class. And who will you be spending most of your class time with? 

Location

One of the most important aspects of selecting a martial arts school to train at is the location.  A school's proximity to your home or work should be taken into consideration prior to signing up. Most students attend a class with in three miles of their home.  If the school is a short distance from your home, there is a greater chance that you or your child will be able to attend classes regularly.  Although an hour commute to class might not seem too bad at first, keep in mind that you will be making that drive two-to-three times a week for the next several years. While location alone is not the most important factor in selecting a school, it is the factor most likely to affect your ability to regularly attend classes and the likelihood of your attending classes for the long term. Find a school that fits your needs, but is also within an acceptable driving distance.

Atmosphere

Take notice of the school atmosphere, the attitudes of the students and instructors. Are they friendly and respectful toward one another? Do they appear to be having fun while free-sparring or do they show irritation and anger? Does the instructor appear to enjoy teaching? Are there an unreasonable number of injuries in class caused by a lack of control? Overall, does it seem like a place you would like to spend 3 to 4 nights a week for the next several years?

If you see students engaging in sparring and smiling and laughing at the same time, there is too much sport involved and not enough serious training. If they never smile, then they are too serious and probably not having fun. If everyone laughs and talks all the time, the school is most a social gathering, not a serious Taekwondo dojang.

Facilities

Schools vary in the type of equipment and amenities they offer. Some are large and modern, and provide weight-training equipment, showers and lockers, while others do not. Remember, students are paying for these extras It is up to you to decide what is most important and necessary for your training. All schools should offer basic comforts, adequate equipment and learning essentials. Depending on your location, air conditioning may be a must. A pretty school is not necessarily a highly functional school, and vice versa.

Quality of Students

The quality of instruction in a dojang may be judged by the quality of the students.  Do the students appear to:

• Enjoy their training at all belt levels.
• Act friends with each other during and after class.
• Show respect for each other, the instructors, visitors, and the art of Taekwondo.

Price

Price is a strong factor in any purchasing decision.  While price is important, you should also consider value.  Does the school have a large amount of fixed costs such as an overly large facility or amenities that do not add value directly to your training, such as an aerobics room, or large meeting rooms?  While these items may be “nice”, they inflate the amount of tuition charged unnecessarily. 

General Fit

Lastly, you should explore the school for its general fit with your needs and your comfort level with the school.  Are the students friendly and helpful to other students?  Does the instructor’s style of teaching seem like one you’d be comfortable with? Is it what you are looking for?