Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Shizen Ryu Budo
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Celebrating 5 years and 100+ students!!
We are very proud to announce that...
Black Belt English has now been open for 5 years - and we currently have more than 100 students enrolled in our classes!!!
We are blessed to be running this school, as this experience has allowed us to meet some truly amazing people. We have gained so many talented and wonderful students and we have made numerous special friendships since we opened the doors in 2009.
We wish to thank each and every student and family that has shared this journey with us. We look forward to more training and studying with you this year!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Open for 3 Years!!
Karate
Our karate program has added several new classes over the past year. We now have a session dedicated to very young beginners, some only 4 years old! We have also added two intermediate-level classes to help accommodate our pupils as they advance higher in the belt ranking system. Board-breaking taekwondo kicking techniques, practical self-defense skills, traditional karate-do forms, rhythmic kung-fu exercises, and safe yet challenging free sparring are all a regular part of our training sessions.
English
Our creative approach to teaching English has caught the attention of many across the nation. In fact, our little school was just featured in a national publication (Children's English Journal)! Combining our English language instruction with enjoyable activities (such as roleplaying, board/card games, martial arts, and academic pursuits in the humanities) is proving to be both a unique and effective method for our students to acquire useful and practical English language conversation skills.
We're excited about the future of our programs at Black Belt English and we're pleased to announce that we finally have a brand-new parking lot to accommodate our growing student numbers!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Dinner Event Comments
『ノット家の夕食』参加者の感想お料理も美味しかったです。
こんばんは！先日はお招きありがとうございました。三人で参加し、それぞれに得た物がありましたので感想を
お伝えします。まず最初に思っていたよりヘルシーだった事。そして美味しい！！スパイスを利かした料理が多い
と思っていましたがシンプルで食材の良さを生かし、バランスの良い食事だと感じました。
２番目に感じた事は、食材の使い方。ポテトをゴロンとオーブンで焼き、半分に分けた間にチリソースをたっぷり
はさみ生オニオンにチーズ。ダイナミックで食をそそりました。
３番目に感じた事は、サラダのマッシュルームが生だった事。ブロッコリーやカリフラワーを生で食べた経験は
ありますが何故かマッシュルームは初体験でした。
４番目に、色んなクラスの人と話が出来た事は良かった！年齢性別問わず、カラテ、英会話と様々な人たちの
集まりだったので英語に関するおもしろい話をたくさん聞く事ができました。外国でのエピソードやアメリカ人と日本
人の文化の違いやそれに対する考え方等普段、クラスで話す事のできない話が沸き出るようにどんどん出て楽し
かったです。クラスメイトを知る事で、益々話をしたくなりましたのでカンバセーションをする上で良い意味でのカン
フル剤？！になった気がしています。
最後に、このようなイベントを開いていただき本当に感謝しています。単に英語を習いに行っていると言うだけで
なくて、食を通して文化交流が出来たと感じました。英会話を始めて”楽しい””もっと話したい””もっと外国を
知りたい”と言う気持ちが更にＵＰしました。
とってもアットフォームでブラックベルトの良さが表れていたイベントだったと思います。
あれだけの量の料理の準備は本当に大変だったと思います。疲れた顔も見せず、笑顔で迎えてくださり本当に
ありがとうございました。（英会話の生徒）
先日は、ほんとにありがとうございます。
ご準備大変だったと思いますが、楽しませていただきました。『お料理の味・メニュー』
全体的に食べやすい味で、おいしかったです。チリソースはカリフォルニアの店で何度か食べましたが、それをやさ
しくした味で食べやすく美味しかったです。サラダはマッシュルームが特に美味しかったです。
『ここはもう少し直した方がいいかもしれない（提案）』
直した方がよいところというのは、特にないですが、子どもと大人、各々別で交流できる機会があっても、面白い
かなと思います。
『楽しかった事・面白かった事』
授業以外でいろいろ交流できたのは非常に良かったです。（英会話の生徒）
昨日はありがとうございました。
楽しい時間が過ごせてとても良かったと思います。
違う教室の方ともお話が出来たので良い機会だったと思います。
日本ではこういう機会がなかなかないので本当に良い試みだと感謝しています。
ありがとうございました。(karate)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
ブラックベルトイングリッシュは今月で創立2周年を迎えました。
空手ｉｎ Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈコース：
わたしたちは、生徒自身が空手への理解や造詣を深めるにつれ、さらに基本を磨いてもらう事にも力を入れています。そのため、ただただ技の習得のみを目的としていた当時と比べると、生徒一人一人の技の鋭さが格段に違います。スピード、パワーも、著しく向上しています。
ただ、もうひとつ見逃せないものがあります。
それは、生徒たちが護身技を繰り出す際の、「溢れ出る自信」です。
「英語で空手を学ぶ」というコンセプトの道場では、聞いた英語を即・行動に移すため、ヒアリング力の目覚ましい向上が見てとれます。そのため、その手応えを自信へと変え、英会話レッスンの受講も始められる方もいます。こうした相乗効果は、わたしたちが行っているユニークな教育方針の特徴だといってもいいかもしれません。
入門生へ：空手には「Maybe」は存在しません。稽古の前にYes/Noをはっきりと決断。稽古中は「最初の礼」から「最後の礼」に至るまで自分のベストを出す事のみに全身の神経を集中させてください。
英会話コース ：
英会話力は「良い先生」や「良いテキスト」のみで育まれるものではありません。英会話教室の主役は生徒です。わたしは、皆が「どんな事に興味を持っているのか」「どういう方法が学びやすいのか」「その人に合った教材（話題）は何か」という事を大切にしながら教室の内容を考え、適切にガイドをして行く脇役に過ぎません。
最近、「ここの英会話に来てから、ハワイに行った時店員が寄ってきても怖くなかった。」という話を聞きました。本人は笑ってましたが、テキストを舐める上辺だけの上達ではこうは行きません。
プレイ＆トーク（子供）のクラスではゲームを媒体として、子供が『英語で話したくなるような環境づくりー盗むように学ぶ』が主体です。各クラスは年齢・特徴ともさまざまですが、その時間がすごく楽しくて、思いで深いひと時となるように目指しています。
大人＆子供の生徒へ： 『お喋り』な人ほど、英会話は早く上達します。クラスの時間を自分の意見（言いたいこと）で埋めましょう！
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Open for Two Years!!!
Black Belt English celebrates its 2nd anniversary this month!
We now have over fifty members enjoying our classes; and we are grateful for each and every one of our students.
Karate Students
Our karate program has really evolved and improved over the past year.
The English used in the karate class seems to have greatly improved some students’ listening skills. The joy of participating in an English speaking activity has even led a few to enroll in English conversation classes as well. We are so happy to see people become more enthusiastic about learning English, or simply become more comfortable and confident in communicating with a native English speaker.
With more emphasis placed on mastery of the basics, our students’ technique and focus have improved significantly since last year. The increase in their speed and power is noticeable, and the confidence and strength they are showing in their self-defense skills is impressive.
To our Karate in English students – keep up the good work!! Remember there is no “maybe” in karate! You can choose either karate = NO or karate = YES. If you come to the dojo, be ready to give 100%! It’s the only way you will improve!
English Students
Our English conversation classes have grown significantly over the past year. We have worked hard to provide services and instruction that help fill in the gaps left by more traditional methods of teaching. Primarily, this involves our focus on listening, speaking, and USING English. Many students in Japan study the English language, but few can actually engage in activities and social functions where they can actually use the language. Our program was developed to help with that problem.
Our adult classes are geared towards having students develop the ability to carry on a natural conversation in English, while our Play and Talk program encourages younger students to communicate in English while playing different games. Each class is different, as we strive to make every one enjoyable and memorable.
To our English 4 You and Play and Talk Students – Keep talking! Instead of coming to class ready to listen and take notes --- Come to class with something to say! This is your chance to learn how to improve your English conversation skills!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Beware of martial arts politics!!
Ego and money--pride and greed--are the very roots of politics in the martial arts. --- The Evolution of Martial Arts Politics by Gary Gabelhouse
Comments: If I had to choose the words to best describe the origin of the politics I personally witnessed in the martial arts: they would be EGO and MONEY. Beware of instructors that: 1) too often ask for extra cash beyond the normal tuition and expected equipment/testing fees – and 2) seem more focused on jockeying for position, recognition, and rank/status within the organization than the instruction and growth of their own students. If you ever hear your teacher say about himself, “A man of my stature…” or “I am such a humble person….” then I advise you to kindly walk away.
Some groups only want people that are needy and naive, so that the teacher can be kept up on a pedestal like a cult leader. --- Martial Arts Pros & Cons 1 by Terry Pollard
Comments: A good teacher, truly interested in the growth and well-being of his pupils, should always want his students to succeed. He should support and encourage them, especially once the students become teachers themselves in order to spread the art. If you encounter an instructor that continually fails to maintain a healthy relationship with his own black belts/teachers, then I advise looking elsewhere for instruction. It usually indicates an ego problem with the head instructor – one that is threatened by his own student’s successes and growth.
Heavily intertwined with martial arts cults is demanding that you adhere to either other culture's standards of behavior or to a "warrior ideal." In the more common cults it is a combination of both… What is important to notice is what is being demanded is that you adhere to the Master's interpretation of those standards, not the actual standards themselves. --- Martial Arts Cults: Authoritarian Personality by Marc MacYoung
Comments: (The above quote comes from a very enlightening article.) Beware of teachers that continually tell you what the headmaster wants or thinks – or what a person that truly understood the “Way of the Warrior” would do. Very often, such instructors are using their rank/status and connection to the headmaster to manipulate you into doing what THEY desire (often for very selfish reasons involving their ego and/or greed). If something doesn’t seem morally right (or legal for that matter!) then trust your instincts and do the right thing (which might mean saying NO to your teacher). As they say, the truth has no agenda and will set you free.
Not all instructors deserve loyalty. GIRI (Japanese for sense of duty) is a reciprocal obligation, a two-way street. Although you carry your instructor’s ON (obligation) for the training he provides, he carries your ON for your unwavering loyalty. When an instructor dishonors himself and his students, that cancels their obligation to him. --- Living the Martial Way by Forrest E. Morgan.
Comments: Beware of instructors that feel the need to repeatedly announce that students must respect their teacher and be loyal. You see such instructors often ingratiating themselves with their teacher (in order gain favor) or setting up their own students to repeat such behavior in front of you so that you will learn the “proper” way to revere and worship your instructor. True leaders serve others and therefore gain loyal followers and respect. Demanding respect and loyalty and the brainwashing, bullying, and manipulation that often accompany such acts are something you should expect from a gang or a cult, not a martial arts school. Do not let your teachers take unfair advantage of you or warp you into a dependent and weak-minded individual by perverting the concepts of respect and loyalty. True loyalty and respect requires a sincere and mutually beneficial exchange.
The Martial Arts politicians hate the very idea of “Jita Kyoei” (which can be translated as ‘you and me shining together’). They despise those of us who believe that we can live and let live, be fair, and shine together. They don’t want to live together, they want to CONTROL OTHERS. --- We Should Remember Judo Philosophy by Phil Porter
Comments: Having grown up in the environment of higher education, and having been a college teacher and administrator myself, I can tell you that a good professor wants his students to succeed and make advancements in the field of study. A good professor doesn’t try to control his students and demand that, after graduation, they send a percentage of their earnings the professor each year to show respect. He also doesn’t tell the students where they can or cannot work, who they should and should not communicate with, or restrict what they are allowed to teach and research in their own name and career. Good professors don’t do that…And neither should good martial arts instructors.
STUDENTS
The student can learn karate from his teacher, and at the same time the student can learn a lot about life. The student should try and listen to the lessons his teacher shares, but the student needs to understand he must find his own path to enlightenment. Trying to copy his teacher too much, trying to walk/talk/live/do karate/think/etc. exactly like his teacher, can only lead to the student either repeating his teacher’s mistakes, or becoming heartbroken when he realizes his teacher isn’t perfect.
It is like a finger pointing at a beautiful sunset. The teacher is the finger – not the beautiful sun. The sunset is the principle, and that is what the student should try and see. To only look at the finger means the student will miss the best part.
TEACHERS
The teacher can teach karate to his students, and at the same time the teacher can continue to learn as well. Just as the student should not copy the teacher, the teacher must be able to allow the student to grow and understand in his own way. The student can only find enlightenment by following his own path. If the teacher focuses on teaching and learning the principles, then his goals are pure and he never feels lonely. If the teacher focuses too much on controlling the student, then the teacher limits his student’s growth and he risks being hurt and feeling lonely when it is time for the student to seek their own understanding.
It is like a student looking at his teacher pointing to a beautiful sunset. The teacher needs to let the student turn his head and look at the beauty of the sun when he is ready, and the teacher should not feel hurt or lonely when the student is no longer looking at his teacher. If looking at the beauty of the sunset is the goal, then the teacher must let his student look away and see for himself. Then the teacher can look back at the sun again and they can enjoy it together. If the teacher continues to look at the student, the teacher will also be missing the best part. --- The Teacher and Student Relationship by Robert Knott
Comments: In struggling with a deeply troubling situation and discussing it with one of my teachers, I wrote the above essay and presented it to that teacher to use on his website. I was attempting to make sense out of what the instructor was saying to me about the student and teacher relationship, and I was inspired by the scene in the Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon where Lee’s character is instructing his pupil and tells the young man to look at the moon --- not the finger pointing to it.
Closing comments: Studying the martial arts is a choice we make. We can choose the schools and teachers we desire to learn from. You will NEVER find the perfect teacher or style; but you can indeed find a dojo that is right for you. Studying the Martial Way is about becoming a better person – and my advice to you is to avoid teachers and schools that have forgotten this important lesson.
