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You have finally made the decision to start learning Taekwondo. The next decision is where do you train. Choosing a Taekwondo dojang/instructor is similar to choosing a music teacher. First you want to find a teacher that teaches your instrument (Taekwondo). You want a teacher who plays the instrument well but who also has the ability to teach others to play. You want a teacher you can relate to, who understands your limitations, and who can coax you into being the best you can be. You also want the instruction to take place in a suitable place that is conducive to learning. Since you initially probably know nothing about the instrument and than what you have seen or heard other do with it, you will probably not know where to start looking for an instructor.

All schools are not created equal. Taekwondo instructors generally are not licensed by a state regulatory commission or government agency, and there is no consumer group to act as a watchdog to ensure the quality of instruction. Anyone may acquire a business license, purchase a black belt, rent school space and starting teaching Taekwondo.

Unfortunately, when people starting looking for a Taekwondo dojang to join, they tend to first consider the price of instruction and the convenience of the location. This are important factors, but they should not be primary considerations.

As a beginner, you are unqualified to judge the skill of Taekwondo instructors. If you know someone who is a Taekwondo student, you could ask them to come with you, but how well can you trust the judgment of the person. There is no one way for you to judge the skill of an instructor, since that ability only comes with years of experience in Taekwondo. The only way you may choose a dojang/instructor that is right for you is to read all you can about Taekwondo, visit many dojangs, ask a lot of questions, and make a educated, rational choice. 

To learn more about Taekwondo, visit bookstores, the library, surf the web, and of course, consult TKDTutor.com. The more information you have, the better questions you can ask, and the easier it will be to choose a dojang/instructor.

Where do you look to find a dojang in your area? Telephone yellow pages list commercial schools but they are not the only school in town. Like other types of businesses, what the advertising says about a dojang may or may not be correct. Quality instruction may be found for a reasonable price, high cost does not always mean high quality. Some places to look for a dojang are:

• Word of mouth from friends, or acquaintances

• Bulletin boards in martial-arts supply stores, Asian bookstores, Oriental restaurants, or local colleges 

• College courses

• Community or civic center programs

• YMCA/YWCA

• Classified ads in newspapers or local free papers found in racks outside food stores

• Road or store front signs 

First, make a list of Taekwondo schools within your acceptable travel distance. Then make an appointment to watch both beginning and advanced classes at each one. If a school offers a free introductory class, take it.

How to Visit

• When visiting for the first time, call ahead to make sure visitors are welcome and to make an appointment. 

• Wear normal street clothes.

• Observe proper dojang protocol. If you are unfamiliar with the protocol, ask about it when you call for a visit or watch behavior of others closely when you enter the dojang.

• Be polite and courteous. 

• If you're offered a hand, shake hands. If someone bows to you, bow back. 

• Be quiet during class, do not do anything to draw attention to yourself while the class is in session. 

• Get there early and stay afterwards so you can ask questions. 

• Do not discuss other schools, if possible. If you cannot avoid the subject, do not say anything derogatory about another school. 

• Do not try to impress the instructor with your limited knowledge of Taekwondo or other styles.

• Do not try to use Korean words unless you are sure of the meaning and pronunciation.

• Visit many schools, many times.

• Beware of high-pressure sales pitches at some schools. If you feel pressured, leave.

• You must visit numerous schools to develop a short list of the ones you like. Then you must visit each of those schools many times to form a valid opinion. Classes vary from one to another: instructors have good days and bad days, the head instructor may be on vacation., and different classes may have emphasis on different subject, such as weapons training, advanced kicks, or self-defense techniques. If you only visit one class, you will not know what a typical class is like.  

• Many schools do not have continuous enrollment, you may have to wait until next week, next month, or even next semester (if the school meets at a college) for the next beginner's class to start. Use the waiting time to do more visiting.

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