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Grading
To bear that which you think you cannot bear is really to bear.
(Nitobe)
Ranking system
The idea of a formal ranking system was first used by a 'go' expert. (Go is
a Japanese board game).
Kano (the inventor of judo) expanded the idea when he created judo and it
was applied to martial arts.
Since then, many schools have adopted some form of ranking system that
involves coloured belts, exams and a formal syllabus.
In recent years the Chinese have adopted a Japanese-style ranking system.
No parity
Making reference to Japanese ranking systems can confuse matters a little.
Although we operate a grading system and issue belts, we have a different
standard to Japanese schools.
Even within the Japanese martial arts there are significant differences in
quality and expectations between each system, school and class.
There is no consensus.
A black belt in one art is not the same as one in another.
Our aim is to offer a challenging syllabus and a grading system that
reflects a high standard of practice.
We do not issue belts casually.
Grades
In our school, grades are a way
of differentiating the syllabus.
It ensures that each student has
sufficient opportunity to learn each aspect of the curriculum adequately
before moving onto the next topic.
A beginner could not safely train vigorous self defence material with an
experienced student.
There are 17 grades in the syllabus.
Belts
Grades are split into
5 levels:
beginners, intermediate, experienced, teacher training and advanced.
White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Red
Brown
1st dan
2nd dan
3rd dan
4th dan
5th dan
6th dan
7th dan
8th dan
The race to black
The coloured belts in any martial art serve to lay the foundation for the meat
of the syllabus; which takes place at the dan level.
Ideally, the student should race through the colours and prepare for black.
Beginners only need a 40% degree of competence. Intermediate need 60%. To get
your first black belt you'll need 80%.
Each coloured belt has quite a small amount of material to learn. Typically
there are a couple of drills, several insights, and a few other bits. Seldom
anything major.
The syllabus is incremental; you learn the skills progressively.
When you pass that black belt, what does it really mean? It means that you
are a 'certified beginner'.
This seems like an odd expression doesn't it?
In plain English it means that you have the gist of the basics, the foundation.
You are not an expert. You are not ready to open your own school. But you have
obtained some skill.
A 1st dan student recognises that everything they know needs to be improved. The
untrained, unknown black belt syllabus remains enormous, daunting. And exciting.
They have begun.
Certificates
We only offer one certificate to students.
This is a confirmation of instructor status and is awarded when the student
has successfully completed the teacher training course.
No other endorsements, certificates or proof of training will be issued.
Grading
We offer an ongoing grading system.
The grading criteria assesses both attitude and skill, taking into
consideration a wide variety of factors.
Full details are held on the class database.
Favourites?
We never play favourites with students.
Our syllabus is self-differentiating.
If a student practices and picks up the skill, they move on.
Their own
understanding of the tai chi makes it possible for them to proceed.
But understanding is not verbal. It must be a physical demonstration of
skill.
Without a tangible/real understanding, the curriculum simply does not make
sense.
Unless you can physically 'do' the tai chi, you understand nothing.
The material is incremental. It assumes
physical competence in the preceding topic.
We offer an ever-climbing spiral of difficulty and comprehension.
Without
such a challenge, students would always remain external/beginners.
Progress is entirely relative to the individual.
Complete syllabus grading
Students who undertake the complete syllabus receive the most thorough
form of grading we can offer:
Questionnaire
- written test
- all answers are on class database
Assessment
- informal grading of all skills from throughout syllabus
- students can be tested on any material covered to date
- varied self defence scenarios featuring full contact attacks
Challenges
- there are over a dozen challenges in the syllabus
- they are self defence ordeals involving multiple opponents
Feedback
Our gradings are hard work but the students always feel to have earned
their belt:
This is without a doubt the best grading approach I have ever experienced.
No matter what changes it keeps the standards and demonstrates Sifu Waller's
commitment to the students. Each grade is a real achievement and I am
heartened to see that no one is happy with their performance (it's not just
me!). Also it ensures that higher grades have the abilities to train the
techniques with less fear of injury.
(Tim)
Casual/drop-in students
Not everyone wants to grade.
Some people just want to do a bit of tai chi for the night.
This is fine.
Grading is optional, and not for everyone.
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Page created 25 August 2000