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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- General Program Questions
- 1. What is Tae Kwon Do?
- Tae Kwon Do, literally translated, means "The Way of the Fist and Foot". In Tae Kwon Do, the student
learns how to punch and kick, how to block and defend themselves. They learn sparring techniques, and they
learn some self defense. When it is time for belt testing, the students learn their forms. However, it is
not all martial arts techniques that the students learn. They also learn discipline and self control. They
learn to respect their peers and their elders, especially their parents. At World Champion Tae Kwon Do, they are
also required to maintain good grades in school and keep up with their housework, and they do not get to belt
test if they do not do so.
- 2. What is a typical class like?
- Class starts out with some warming up, to get the students' muscles ready to move. Jumping jacks followed
by laps to warm up the muscles, followed by stretching. After the students are warmed up, the remainder of the
class may vary. They may do punching drills, kicking drills, or speed/strength drills. Sometimes they will
play games like dodgeball or soccer, which are aimed at teaching teamwork and sportsmanship.
- 3. How is your program structured?
- At World Champion Tae Kwon Do, we have a very comprehensive program (a proprietary program created and
copywritten by our school and available only to our students) that helps our students to excel in
all aspects of their lives. By itself, Tae Kwon Do teaches the students to be responsible, respectful,
and disciplined. They learn the various different punches, kicks and blocks. They learn their forms,
one-step sparring, and self defense techniques. They improve their balance, their speed, and their
agility. They learn to listen to directions and to follow instructions. However, we take it a little
further.
Every student is required to do chores at home. The student will have a form on which they record all
the chores they have done each day. They are required to perform their chores every day (including weekends)
for a minimum of 6 weeks if they wish to Belt Test.
Every student is also required to keep up in their schoolwork. Before their Belt Test, they are
required to take a progress report form to their teacher to fill out. That form must be returned to
us and the student's performance must be satisfactory in order to Belt Test.
And finally, every student is required to read books. White belts must read 2 books before their
Belt Test, all other belts must read 5 books before before their Belt Test. Books that the students
must read for school count towards this reading requirement. The student will have a form on which
they must record the books they have read, and the parent must sign that the student did in fact
complete those books.
A more detailed description of these requirements is available in the
Stripes For Success program page.
- 4. Where are you located?
- The Murrayhill branch of World Champion Tae Kwon Do is located at Teal Blvd. and Murray Rd. in Beaverton in
the Murrayhill Marketplace, near the Safeway, right next door to the Beaverton Bakery. Murrayhill
Marketplace is just one block North of the intersection of Murray Rd. and Scholls Ferry Rd.
A map to our school is available here.
- 5. What are your prices for your classes?
- It is difficult to discuss prices over the Internet as we have many different pricing schedules, based
on the number of days your child would attend and the length of the contract. We do have a great introductory
offer however, our Three Week Trial. This Trial costs $69 per person, for which you receive a free uniform
and three weeks of classes, three classes per week. We would love to tell you about our regular enrollment
options as well, but that is easier done in person. When would you like to come in to talk about it? Give
us a call to arrange for a visit!
- 6. What is your schedule of classes?
- The schedule varies each day. The school is open Monday through Saturday. Typically, the earlier
classes are for the younger children while the later classes are the Family (all age) classes. There are
White Belt classes for our newest students and Tiny Tiger classes for our youngest students. The first
class of the day starts at 3:45, while the time of the last class of the day varies. Classes are 45
minutes long (Tiny Tiger classes are 30 minutes long). Our schedule of classes
is available online.
- 7. Do you have Saturday classes?
- Yes we do! Please check our current class schedule for full details.
- 8. How long are the classes?
- Classes are typically 45 minutes long, except for the Tiny Tigers classes which are 30 minutes long. Please
arrive a few minutes early so the student has time to remove their shoes and find their attendance card before
class starts.
- 9. Who determines the student's class schedule?
- The student or the parent does! Our attendance policy is very flexible. You or your child can attend
class on any days of the week that work for you. And they do not need to be the same days every week. If
Monday-Wednesday-Friday works this week but Tuesday-Thursday-Friday works best next week, then that's fine.
Come when you can. Your schedule is not set in stone.
- 10. How often can we come to class?
- Depending on the kind of contract you have or the kind of special program you are currently participating
in, you can come either 2 or 3 times a week. We offer contracts that allow students to attend either two times
a week or three times a week. The 3 Week Trial program and our VIP Pass allows students to come three times a
week to give our program a try. You choose how often your student comes.
- 11. My child is going to miss classes next week. How can we make up the classes?
- World Champion Tae Kwon Do has a very flexible make up policy. You can make up classes at your convenience.
For example, if you are going to be out of town over Christmas and will miss two classes, you can wait
until you return from your travels to make up the classes, you can make them up prior to your travels,
or you can split the difference amd make up one before your trip and one after. It is up to you and
what works best for your schedule. We just ask that you make every attempt to make up the missed classes
in the same month.
- 12. What ages do you teach? Can I (parent) join my child in class?
- We teach students age 3½ to 95. Everyone is welcome to join, as long as they believe
they are up to the physical nature of Tae Kwon Do. We have several families where a parent and the children all
come to class together. Our classes are generally organized so students of similar belt level are in class
together. We also have Kid and Family classes where the whole family can participate at the same time, regardless
of age and belt level. As long as everyone who wishes to sign up is physically able to participate, we welcome you!
- 13. I have two children, age 6 and 10. Can they be in class together?
- It all depends on their belt levels. If they are at the same belt level, they can easily be in class together.
If they are in different belt levels, then they can come to the Kid and Family classes and remain in class together,
though you should consider bringing them to an appropriate Level Class so they can be surrounded by their peers at
least once per week. It's amazing how much that can help them to learn their techniques for their next Belt Test!
- 14. I am thinking about joining Tae Kwon Do but I'm not sure yet. Can I come and watch a class?
- Yes, of course! We are more than happy to have you come and check us out. Take a look at our
class schedule to pick a class to watch. We would love for you to come and see
what makes our school so great. And if you have any additional questions, stop in the office and we'll happily
answer your questions.
Belt Test/Belt Level Questions- 15. How do the students advance from one belt level to another?
- At World Champion Tae Kwon Do, we hold Belt Tests once every three months, usually in March, June, September,
and December. In order to qualify for Belt Testing, each student must:
- Perform their chores every day (Black Stripe Form)
- Maintain their grades in school (Red Stripe Form)
- Keep up with their reading (Blue Stripe Form)
- Learn their form, one-step sparring, and self defence techniques (Green Stripes)
(A more detailed description of these requirements is available in the
Stripes For Success program page.)
If all of these requirements are met, then the student is elligible to test. There is a $50 fee for testing,
and a $5 late fee for applications and/or test fees turned in after the deadline. Immediately following the Belt
Test, there is a Belt Ceremony in which the students are presented with their new belts.
- 16. How often are Belt Tests held?
- Belt tests are held every 3 months. Students are eligible to test as long as they have met all the
requirements for testing. (See the Stripes For Success program page
for a list of requirements.)
- 17. What are those colored stripes I see on some students' belts?
- When it is close to Belt Testing time, the students are evaluated on several different areas. Each
stripe indicates that the student has passed that area. Note that only students age 4-18 will receive all
of these stripes. Adult students only need to earn their Green Stripes. The stripes you will see are:
- Red Stripe: The student has turned in their Red Stripe Form and is performing acceptably in school.
- Blue Stripe: The student has turned in their Blue Stripe Form and has read the required number of books.
- Black Stripes: The student has been doing their chores at home.
- Green Stripes: The student has learned all the Tae Kwon Do techniques required for thier belt level and
Master Park has determined that they are ready to belt test.
- Yellow Stripes: The student has turned in their Yellow Stripe Form and is a responsible citizen at home
and at school. Yellow Stripes are optional; they are no required to participate in Belt Testing.
- 18. What do the students do at a Belt Test?
- The Belt Test is performed in three stages:
- Stamina and Strength. The students are required to do some strength and stamina tests. The
purpose of these tests are simply to track how the student is progressing. The Master likes to see
steady improvement in this area. The students are required to perform some or all (depending on their
belt level) the following tasks in a specified amount of time (for example, white belts start at 20 seconds):
- Sit-ups
- Push-ups
- Jumping Jacks
- Leg Speed
- Punching Speed
- Tae Kwon Do Techniques. The students are requred to demonstrate their knowledge of their Tae
Kwon Do techniques to the Master. The techniques they must demonstrate are their Form, their One Step
Sparring technique, and their Self Defence technique. They also must demonstrate their ability to perform
other kicking, punching, and blocking techniques, as appropriate for their belt level.
- Board Breaking. The students are required to break a board. Each belt level has a different
technique that they must use to break their board. Younger children have a thinner board than the adults.
- 19. My child will miss the Belt Test. Can he/she do a make-up test?
- Yes, the student can do a make-up test. Make-up tests are usually held during regular class time during the
week after the scheduled Belt Test. See Master Park to schedule a time for your student's make-up
test. The student will still be expected to complete their Test Application and pay the Test Fee on time in
order to do the make-up test.
- 20. My child used to study Tae Kwon Do but not recently or at a different school. Do they have to start
at white belt again, or can they come in at their old belt level?
- When a student is new to World Champion Tae Kwon Do, they come in as a white belt. However, if your child
has studied Tae Kwon Do in the past, be sure to tell the office manager and Master Park about it. Master
Park will evaluate each student individually over a period of time, to see how well they remember their
Tae Kwon Do techniques. Master Park will then determine what belt level the student should be.
- 21. How long does it take to earn a Black Belt?
- If the student is persistent and passes every belt test, then they will be eligible to test for their
Black Belt 3 years after starting as a White Belt.
Contract Questions- 22. Do you have any special programs to try Tae Kwon Do?
- Yes, we have a 3 Week Trial program that you can do. This program costs $69.
You receive 3 weeks of classes where you attend class three times a week. You also receive a free uniform that is
yours to keep.
- 23. I have a VIP Pass or Gift Certiciate to redeem. Can you tell me about the program?
- The VIP Pass or Gift Certificate gives you 2 weeks of free classes where you attend class 3 times a week. You
also receive a free uniform that is yours to keep.
- 24. How do you determine your pricing? Do younger students get discounted prices?
- Our pricing schedule is based on the number of students enrolled in your family, not on the age of the
student. We have multiple person discounts for families who sign up together. These discounts apply to direct
family members only.
- 25. Can I change the terms of my contract once I've signed?
- Yes, you can. Stop by the office and we can work with you to modify your contract.
- 26. I need to suspend my child's contract for a period of time (summer break, family illnes, etc.).
Can I do that?
- Yes you can. In truth, we do not suspend the contract, we simply extend the contract for you. For example,
let's assume you are going to be traveling in Europe for 2 months over summer break. You need to give us written
notification in advance of your trip that you need to have your contract suspended. We will extend your contract
with World Champion Tae Kwon Do by two months in our computer system, but this does not change the terms of your contract
with the payment collection company we've hired to do our billing. This means that though payments will still be taken
while you are absent, those payments will be credited forward. You will not need to sign up for a new contract until our
computer system indicates the contract with World Champion Tae Kwon Do is up, which in this example will be two months
after the payment collection company stops collecting payments.
Behavioral or Physical Issues- 27. My child has some attention issues (or other similar condition or physical issue). Will this
be a problem?
- No, this will not be an issue. In Tae Kwon Do, we focus on learning discipline and respect. The
student learns respect for their parents, their fellow students, and themselves. They also learn how to
be properly disciplined when in class. Master Park will remind them if they are behaving inappropriately.
He is generally a very nice and flexible teacher, however he can be stern if he has to be. We currently
have several students who are ADHD and they are excelling.
- 28. My child is very shy. Will he/she be intimidated in class?
- Every student is different and every student has a different comfort threshold. If your student is
shy and quiet, they might be uncomfortable at first with all the noise surrounding them and the movement
that they are asked to do. But given a few classes, when they see that everyone else is learning, that
everyone else is loud, and that everyone else is having a good time, they will begin to have more fun with
it. If your child has a friend that would be interested in joining our school too, they can come to class
together and provide each other with moral support.
We have a great Three Week Trial program that you might consider trying. This would
give your child three classes per week for three weeks to give Tae Kwon Do a try. If they do not like it, then you
are under no obligation to continue any further. But if they do like it, you can always sign up for continuing classes.
- 29. What about all that foreign language stuff? Will that be a problem for my child?
- At first, your child may be confused by the Korean terminology used. But in a short period of time,
they will learn what the various terms mean. Master Park and the other students will help them to learn
the words they will need. Also, we have a terminology sheet that you can print out to
practice at home, in the car, wherever.
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