About finding and choosing a school

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.

Since it requires a long-term commitment involving a lot of time, effort, and money, choosing a school is very important. Take the time to get it right the first time.