One on one attention gives students the opportunity to learn faster. It allows them to ask questions and receive hands on correction. Regardless of the class size, as a teacher we need to spend time with each student.
When classes are small, it is easy to give individual attention to a student. Students learn better when they ‘feel’ they are being seen on an individual. This type of attention often requires getting down on the students level, kneeling or stooping to look them in the eyes. When we get down on a students level, it helps them relax and really hear the corrections being given. Some students are really good at correction with verbal assistance and visual demonstration. Others need the physical correction. Physical adjusts, such as the angle of a technique or the posture of a stance, help students find the correct path or placement of a technique. They need to have a technique placed in the correct spot or a tap on the leg to tell them which leg is their kicking leg.
When classes are larger, individual attention can be harder to give, but is not less important. If we are teaching alone, this can be a challenge, but still possible. Setting up drills and activities that allow the students to practice in small groups allows us to float and give each student correction. If we are teaching with an assistant, they can work with a small group that might need extra attention, allowing the lead instructor to float. This division of attention allows the lead instructor to work with the most students. As the lead instructor we still must go and spend time with the assistance’s group, making a connection with those students.
Parents, rightly, want to see their child get attention. As teachers, we want each student to grow. Making an extra effort to give each student attention helps them improve faster.
