Post by fujicolt on Apr 4, 2012 16:23:44 GMT
Apr 3, 2012 14:19:57 GMT @fujicolt said:
Having taught as a guest Instructor in Nations were English is not the main language the use of Japanese as an internationally understood 'Karate language' has helped - a bit like the way that the Christian Mass used to be universally conducted in Latin.I get the whole 'international language' thing, but I've never trained anywhere other than the UK.
To me a good analogy would be football. Invented here and exported worldwide. And wherever the trainer may be you can be sure that when there are explaining the skills needed to be a footballer, they are doing so in their native tongue and not in English.
Sorry Barry - I maybe didn't explain clearly enough. I am not suggesting that Japanese terminology must be used - I use both english and Japanese when teaching and have, when teaching abroad, tried to learn a few words in the 'native' language to help as well.
Surely the most important thing is getting the info across as clearly as possible and this is why I try to also have a blackboard available so i can also use diagrams etc as another 'language' to aid my core aim = teaching to the best of my abilities! which is complex enough without getting hung up on what language to use = use anything that is helpful to YOU (as the imparter of knowledge) and THE STUDENTS (as the recipients of the said knowledge and info etc).
Notwithstanding the above I do still use a great deal of Japanese terminology (with an explanation translation until the students are familiar with it) to gain continuity and as a gesture of respect to the nation of origin of the art i have chosen to study and teach. It has never caused problems ANYWHERE!
IN fact here's one for you - I once had the Joy (as an Englishman with a Broad North West Accent) of teaching a Japanese Martial Art (Shotokan) to Masai Tribesmen on the Serengeti in NE Africa - it all went smoothly and we got it done despite the language barriers!