Your reasons for accessing this website are not as important as understanding its contents, and if you are a serious martial artist seeking change, the only real alternative is the Oriental Sports Association, (OSA).

The current objectives are to provide a wide range of facilities, discounts and services, further and higher education, physical and occupational training, entertainment and cultural exchanges for those involved with martial arts and sporting activities.

We are fully committed and connected to schools, colleges, universities, educational institutions, martial arts and sports associations. To this end, the OSA was formed in 1983.

We have many enquiries from the public asking us to recommend a 'good school' to train. With an increased number of litigation cases being seen through the courts nowadays, we understand that the public demand high professional standards from such schools. Likewise, it is good practice for all martial artists to produce their own Port Folio, (CV), to protect themselves against unscrupulous individuals claiming that they were misinformed or uninformed of their training programme.

Many martial arts styles involve 'contact' training within their syllabus and it is little wonder that the unscrupulous individual may be keen to 'cry wolf' for financial gain, regardless of the best intentions of the instructor.

That is why evidence-based training within your school is so vital for both student and instructor alike. To ensure 'informed consent' by the school minimizes failure of communication between the school and its members.

For instance, by producing learning packs and DVD's to study reduces the 'barriers to communication' for all concerned.
Many instructors are worried that they will have to change their teaching practices if they are asked to use evidence within their teaching.

In many cases, they find that they are able to improve their training programmes by looking at what they actually do teach.

Of course, there are some who are presently managing schools with no structure to what they are trying to teach and it is those who are most vulnerable and therefore will benefit the most from our support.

Firstly, why change the current Grade System and What is Modular Learning?

Taking the teaching programme of the grading system holistically, it is impractical to practice a mixture of cognitive exercises such as basic walks, combination of walks, set movement and sparring. The student only develops to a low level.

Answer: Evidence-based learning programmes means exactly what it says. With generic systems in place, recognised by schools, colleges and universities, both the instructor and student are able to identify the students learning needs. This maintains high learning standards.

If a student is unable to practice his/her techniques due to disability then they become restricted in their learning process and unable to succeed to the next grade/level.

Answer: Allowing physically impaired individuals to practice promotes a wider access to potential students with an investment in people approach.

Passing or failing a student with little feedback as to why does not promote high professional standards in the learning process.

Answer: Good feedback to learning is the key to good reflective practice. It is the responsibility of both the student and instructor for the students learning development.

Prior knowledge and skills learned are not recognised and only serve to hold the student back in their learning. 

Answer: Modular learning programmes promote Accreditation to Prior Learning, (APL), as part of the learning process.

Modular learning in martial arts will not work as it is a new concept and therefore regarded as a 'gimmick' to attract new students. 

Answer: Shoa-Lin monks have practiced their teachings on the following process:

Learn the basics well to create a good foundation in which to support new ones. In this way, the greater the foundation the higher the standard of learning can be achieved.

This has been the philosophy for over 3,500 years so can be recognised as being well established and proven to be an effective teaching approach, especially in the martial arts world. In fact, it may be regarded as the traditional way to teach martial arts instead of a 'Westernization Approach.'

Joining forces with the WorldMAC Alliance, we are now able to offer Generic Certification, at several levels, validated by a UK university.

WorldMAC Alliance/OSA Validation Courses

1) Foundation Certificate in Martial Arts.

(Distance Learning) - allowing candidates to complete the course at their own Club.

2) Instructors Certificate in Martial Arts.

(Distance Learning).

3) Referee's Certificate in Freestyle.

(Distance Learning).

4) Referee's Certificate in Kickboxing.

(Distance Learning).

5) Referee's Certificate in Karate.

(Distance Learning).

More Courses are being developed. If you wish to have your Courses validated, please contact us.

Candidates for University Courses MUST first have WorldMAC verification

University Courses

1) Certificate in Martial Arts.

(Distance Learning).

2) Diploma in Martial Arts.

(Distance Learning).

3) Advanced Diploma in Martial Arts.

(Distance Learning).

4) Degree in Martial Arts.

(Full-Time) - residential only.

All the above courses are subject to APL, which may reduce their course duration dramatically.

(Accreditation to Prior Learning) so you may be 'fast tracked'.

So Register with the WorldMAC Alliance and validate your martial arts gradings now.