Private Lessons

What and Who they are for.

A lot of people ask about private lessons and if they are available to everyone. They are not. Please read on and I will explain why.

These lessons are there for students aiming at top flight competition karate, both in kumite and kata.

I do a maximum of 4 hours private lessons a week which is about my maximum concentration span. I take seriously the fact that these lessons cost £15 an hour and, as always, want to give value for money. In normal lessons this is why I often over run, I do not do it to annoy people, I try to fit a lot into any lesson and if I start late I often finish late.

I attempt to keep the private lessons to a maximum of three students but occasionally have four if concentrating on kumite. More opponents means better practice and sometimes a better atmosphere. My friend who lives in the Midlands limits his private lessons to six and charges £30 an hour so, on a national scale, I am not that expensive.

When arranging private lessons I need to be able to fit a minimum of two students of similar standards together. Each hour block is carefully planned so your child is in with the correct group. Another problem with only having two in is if I get a cancellation I am left on a one to one basis which I try never to do for child protection reasons.

Each week I text out on a Wednesday asking for a response to see who is interested in a private lesson. When I receive replies I am able to sort the slots out and text back the specific information. Those wishing for lessons have to be flexible with their time as no weekly set time is given.

The role of these lessons are to teach the student new kata and to perfect their existing kata. There comes a point when, as high grades, they know all the Shotokan kata required for top flight competition and perform them as well as they can. If they work hard in the normal lessons this is enough and a private lesson is not needed unless they wish to learn a new Shito-ryu kata that I also teach.

I do not want to waste parents money or my time giving private lessons to students who are not interested in learning new stuff. This mainly applies to high grades who have a lacklustre attitude and are there by parental pressure. I want the private lessons to feel special to the student and for them to enjoy their time so the atmosphere is light and jolly with keen, eager kids still striving for perfection not staring at the clock wishing time would fly by.

For some lower grades I may offer the chance to do private lessons but if I think they are not learning enough to warrant you spending £15 a hour I will withdraw the offer. I still think this is a lot of money and I have a few who just aren’t picking up the way I would like.

Private lessons are available for some mid-grades. Everyone hits sticking points and I have a few students at this stage now. They come in to the normal class and try hard but are not developing as much as they should. As their attitude is still good I will continually offer a lesson but it would do them no harm to miss one week - e.g. do a week, miss a week, etc.

Just text and I will be honest with you as to the value of private lessons in your particular case. Please do not be offended if I am a little blunt with my response - I have the best interests of all my students at heart but I can be a little curt without meaning to upset anyone.

The easiest thing for me to do is take everybody’s money each week and not be worried about if I am giving value for money. I never do things the easy way.

Sensei Kev Mitch.