Fellow Instructors - anyone have a student make you feel dumb?

Question

Every so often I get a student that asks me a question that I can not seem to answer properly. I usually end up standing there, dumbfounded for a second or two, then either attempt a feeble response or tell them that I it is an excellent question, and that I will think on it and get back to them. If I cant come up with a good enough answer, I usually have to take the question up with my Sifu, to which he replies something so simple I feel stupid again for asking it.

Question: Has this ever happened to you, how do you deal with it, and do you feel that it benefits yourself and your art? (I do btw)

Answer 1

Personally, I welcome any questions the students have. Answering questions reinforces principles and helps me remember them.  When someone ask a question I can't answer it is a opportunity for me to learn. I tell my students from the beginning that I don't have all the answers, but will share what I do have.

Answer 2

I'm not a martial arts instructor, but I am a high school teacher, and this situation comes up often.  I handle it much the way you do - I tell them its a good question and I'll have to look it up and get back to them.  I don't feel stupid (unless it's something basic that I really should know!); in fact it lets me know they are interested in the topic.  If I don't know the precise answer but know related information, I will share that with them.  

Your students don't need to believe you are all-knowing to respect you (as long as you are competent and know the answers most of the time!).  Unfortunately many traditional martial arts systems perpetuate the myth of the infallible master and actually frown upon students asking questions.  That is unfortunate.  Also many instructors aren't very good teachers (which makes sense, since they have never studied teaching per say).  It sounds like you are one of the good ones though.  

One of my most memorable martial arts experiences came many years ago when a student asked the sensei why he was teaching us to punch a particular way, and wouldn't other ways be better.  He got out the blocking pads and had us pair up and experiment with the different options and figure out for ourselves which generated the most power.  That's an approach I use with my students often.

Answer 3

I'm not an instructor myself, but when I was training in American Kenpo, the assistant instructor at the dojo I trained with was annoying as all heck when it came to teaching.  He was very skilled in his technique and knowledge of the style, but though I respected him and he was a good guy, he wasn't a great teacher.  Half the reason was that when asked a question that he clearly didn't know the answer to, he would usually sidestep it with a lot of words and not even answer the question originally asked.  It drove me crazy, as there was so much more that I wanted to know that he just left hanging.  If he had been honest about it and asked the head instructor or said that he'd have to find out and get back to us--or even if he just mentioned that he wasn't sure and gave the best answer he could--it would have been far better.  I think asking  your Sifu is definitely the best choice, even if you feel that you should have known it already.  I imagine you'll earn a bit more respect from your students who are genuinely interested in the learning process.  Anyone who is disrespectful for it probably isn't worth your time anyway.

Answer 4

Yes I have been caught flat footed a few times. I usually ask them to stick around till after class or remind me next class so I have time to get a goo answer. Thankfully Our school has an excellent network to some great Martial artist where If I'm Stumped I can get a good answer. The ones I have fun with is when I ask some of my contacts a question and get 3 or 4 different answers. Sometimes they are all great answers and that is very humbling. There is often more than one way to approach a problem. They are often right from their experience. Since they are all masters or grandmasters they are at least "never wrong".

I think it is great for the art the student and the instructor. I never want to short change a student with putting them off with a answer I can't feel good about.

Answer 5

what kind of questions..come on now..what do you teach..just maybe its time to open a hair salon for g*y dogs..just kidding..tell your student that what do you think is the answer to your question to look deep inside them selfs for they already know the answer to all of lifes questions..try it and if it doesnt work..oh well..thats kung fulery...get it ..got it..good..