Senior Master Francis Barrett, 8th Degree, conducted an International Instructors Course over the weekend 13 & 14th June in Dublin. The event was not only attended by RITA Masters, Instructors and students but also members from Spain, Scotland and England.
Day one of the course concentrated on how to teach a class using the correct terminology and everyone attending got an opportunity to stand in front of a class including 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Degrees to try and conduct them. For all it was a nervous time but Senior Master Barrett made everyone feel relaxed and emphasised the importance of being confident and enjoying being an Instructor.
On the second day all the Black Belts got a chance to perform their patterns all the way up to Tong-Il. For some attending it was the first time they had seen the 24th pattern and Senior Master Barrett got the 6th and 7th Degrees perform it for them. All the Patterns were covered and Senior Master Barrett went through the practical applications of the movements.
After the seminar was finished some of those attending got a chance to grade under Senior Master Barrett and Senior Master Phelan. Mr Martin Murphy from Enniscorthy was promoted to 6th Degree. Krzyzstof Misiewicz and Juli-Anne Tobin were promoted to 1st Degree Black Belts.
On behalf of all those attending the RITA would like to thank Senior Master Barrett for an enjoyable and constructive seminar.
Report from visiting friends
On the 13th and 14th June 2009, members from several countries descended upon Dublin for an international instructor course taught by Senior Master Francis Barrett. It was a small turnout which meant an intimate affair. The majority of participants were members of RITA, including some colour belts who were attending the first day of the course, and then there were the
visitors: two members from the UKTA and four members from ITF Spain.
The weekend began with Senior Master Barrett welcoming us all and reminding everyone to relax, after all everyone was there because they enjoy Taekwon-do. He also emphasised the differences between Taekwon-do in competitions and as a martial art. He also stressed the importance of "Courtesy"
Senior Master Barrett clearly wanted everyone to fully understand the application of each technique so we could then take it away and pass on our knowledge to our students. He emphasised that we shouldn¹t just repeat techniques but should practise them: if you simply repeat techniques then you will repeat your mistakes, however, if you practise them, you learn how to make them work. As an example, he got the class to perform Chon-Ji backwards. This really makes one think about how the pattern is put together, and it¹s certainly not possible to just repeat the moves!
Every member in attendance was invited to the front of the class to teach at least once during the weekend and, although this was nerve wracking, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and all of the people there were helpful and encouraging no matter who was conducting the class.
The weekend flew by and we all left with our heads fit to burst with information and different ideas for teaching. The weekend was thoroughly enjoyable and informative.
We would like to express our thanks to Senior Master Barrett for sharing his vast knowledge with us and the RITA for organising this event.
Frank Diaz 5th Degree ITF Spain
Daniel Thomas 1st Degree UKTA
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