Korean Job Discussion Forums

[magnolia]

I live in Gunpo and have a friend in Anyang. We're both interested in taking a taekwondo class, and are wondering if there are any that are held in English...

(or if there is a way to take a Korean taekwondo class without really knowing the language, please give feedback).

Anybody know about some English Taekwondo classes?

[cassette]

I take Hap-Ki-Do in Suwon. When I started the teacher knew very little english but it was rarely a problem. With demonstrations and basic english like "power" "speed" "good" and "no good" it's easy to learn.

You'll also improve you korean, especially the parts of the body!

Lastly if there's no particular reason you wish to take Tae-Kwon-Do I'd recomend Hap-Ki-Do instead. It incorporates lots of kicks from TKD and also has great defense moves (joint locking etc), learning how to fall and roll and plenty of weapons training (nunchuks, staff, sword).

Whatever you choose, there's so many of these places around, just walk into one and ask to watch a session. If you're made to feel welcome go for it.

[stumptown]

Yeah, don't worry about having the lessons in English. Since it's purely physical you'll learn by moving, not instruction. I would also recommend Hapkido as well for the reasons mentioned above.

[J.B. Clamence]

[Atavistic]

You can learn the physical aspects of a martial art by watching.

If your school is teaching a martial art as if it's "purely physical" either your teacher sucks or you're not paying attention.

Having said that, I would argue that given time, a good kwanjangnim, and willingness on your part, you can learn many of the philosophical aspects (the art part) of a martial art in spite of language barriers. (I am assuming that you'll speak just enough Korean and someone in the studio will speak just enough English. Believe me, "just enough" is "not much at all.")

Of course, if you're only interesting in physical fitness, it's a moot concern.

I don't get into the whole "my MA is better than your MA" debates, because well, I know the strengths and weaknesses of my studio, my kwanjangnim, and myself. A lot of the "my MA is better than your MA" junk comes down to posturing, ego, and machismo.

Whatever you do, check out more than one studio to find out if they're more interested in pleasing the kids than teaching. You may also be interested in reading "The Taekwondo Diaries." Google it, it's a free book by a teacher who studied taekwondo here. It's got a lot of good info about what studios and training can be like here.