As a martial arts school owner, your communication skills are pivotal in shaping the learning experience and behavior of your students. It's essential to use language that not only directs but educates. When giving instructions, focus on positive, clear language that guides what students should do rather than what they should avoid.
Optimizing Instructional Language
Instead of saying, “Don’t drop your guard,” which focuses on the negative, instruct with positive guidance like, “Keep your guard up.” This tells the student exactly what to do. For clarity and engagement, you could add a relatable action, such as, “Imagine holding two phones to your ears to keep your guard up.”
Teaching How to Follow Instructions
When instructing something subjective like “Pay attention,” ensure your students understand what that looks like. Early in training, define paying attention as standing at parade rest with eyes focused forward and remaining silent. This explicitness helps students meet your expectations without ambiguity.
Clarity and Accountability in Instructions
Vague commands can lead to misunderstanding and perceived defiance. For instance, a student may believe they are paying attention without meeting your expected behaviors. To avoid this, make your directions:
-
Specific: Clearly state manageable actions. For example, “Position your feet shoulder-width apart.”
-
Concrete: Use instructions that every student can understand and follow, such as, “Look directly at me when I’m speaking.”
-
Sequential: If complex behaviors are needed, break them down into a simple sequence, “First, turn to face me, then ensure your feet are planted firmly.”
-
Observable: Make sure the actions you request are visible so you can easily assess compliance. This leaves little room for students to deviate from expectations.
Utilizing Clear Directions for Effective Management
By structuring your commands to be clear and actionable, you enhance learning efficiency and classroom management. This approach not only helps in distinguishing between inability and unwillingness to follow instructions but also ensures all students clearly understand what is expected of them in your classes.
Remember, the way you communicate can significantly impact your students' learning outcomes and your effectiveness as an instructor. Emphasizing clear, positive, and practical instructions will foster a more disciplined and responsive learning environment in your martial arts school.
