This section is designed to give an overview of tuition at the OSA.

A lot of you reading this may well have already been to martial arts classes before. The typical set-up involves a large class of students in a hall, led by the instructor or senior student stood at the front of the class. This is where all the techniques are taught, be it forms (kata, sets, however you know them), attack and defence techniques, or sparring. Indeed, some of you may have been taught Lau Gar in this way. The assessment or 'grading' pattern of the martial art is followed during this time and the student attends a grading and if successful, usually obtains a grade to indicate progress to the next level. This method of development is useful but has its limitations. Its focus is for the masses not for the individual learning needs. In other words, for the 'quick buck' instructor, not for the student.

How we are different

Tuition of the martial arts style is different in the Oriental Sports Association; classes are conducted on a one-to-one basis or in small groups (10 persons maximum). Instead of a grade, the syllabus is split into modules, where each module groups similar components of the style together, e.g., hand and kick defences are grouped into one set as opposed to being split across several 'grades'. It has been found that the student is able to learn the style much more quickly in this way. Mistakes that are simple to make can be quickly corrected as opposed to forming into bad habits, the way that they can in a larger class. We feel that to give the BEST teaching we must give individual learning support to our students.

I was taught initially in a large class (30+) and paid £2.00 per class. I asked myself, 'Was it worth £2.00?'

Later, when I took one-to-one tuition, I found that I learned far more from my instructor.

Shaolin teaching is based on small group training which also allows students time and focus to develop their skills.

However, the students MUST have commitment to learning. 

Learning with an individual instructor allows a learning relationship between student and instructor. The OSA has members worldwide, which is recognised as a 'true spirit' of the martial arts. We simply offer you our hand in friendship.

There are three levels of tuition at the OSA:

• Students - (Level 1)

- Students who wish to learn a style with a chance to work towards a black sash;

- Students who wish to be a Mentor Instructor to gain experience and earn financial rewards during their own training;

Qualifications needed:   All students are invited to attend an Induction Session (approx. 1 hour). This informal session gives an overview of the training involved.

Which course to take:     Successful students will then be invited to enroll onto a training program to suit their own needs.

Learning contract:          Every successful student will have their own 'mentor tutor' who will guide them through their individual development. '1 to 1' tuition sessions will be arranged 'As & When' you wish, to suit your needs.

Learning tools:               All students will receive the following on joining:

• DVD
• Learning Pack/CD
• FREE Assessments
• Certification/In-depth Feedback on all assessments
• Informal training at the OSA Centre

Students who have trained in other styles or disciplines have joined the OSA and been accredited with prior knowledge and gone on to be 'Fast-Tracked' saving time and money. To become a Mentor Instructor has helped them both financially and developed their own knowledge and skills through teaching others such as friends in the Club setting.

• Instructors - (Level 2)

- Senior Students who are interested in learning how to teach the modular system and become a recognised qualified instructor;

- Club Instructors who wish to gain generic qualifications and develop management skills in their own martial arts business;

Qualifications needed:   All Senior Students/Club Instructors are invited to attend an Induction Session (approx. 1 hour). This informal session gives an overview of the training involved.

Which course to take:     Successful students will then be invited to enroll onto an Internal Teaching Certificate/Internal Assessors Certificate.

Learning contract:          Every successful student will have their own 'mentor tutor' who will guide them through their individual development. '1 to 1' tuition sessions will be arranged 'As & When' you wish, to suit your needs.

Learning tools:               All students will receive the following on joining:

• DVD
• Learning Pack/CD
• FREE Assessments
• Certification/In-depth Feedback on all assessments
• Informal training at the OSA Centre

Mentor Instructors who have taught previously have joined the OSA and been accredited with prior knowledge and gone on to be Club Instructors in their own right. Being independent as a Club Instructor has helped them both financially and developed their own knowledge and skills through managing their own Club/Group with the advantage of being supported by the OSA team.

• Senior Instructors - (Level 3)

- Senior Instructors external to the OSA who wish to become registered as qualified martial arts assessors;

- Association managers who wish to assess/grade, in an ALL STYLES Martial Arts Association, for example; 

Qualifications needed:   All Senior Instructors/Managers are invited to attend an Induction Session (approx. 1 hour). This informal session gives an overview of the training involved.

Which course to take:     Successful students will then be invited to enroll onto an Internal Teaching Certificate/Internal Assessors Certificate/Generic Teaching & Assessing Certificate

Learning contract:          Every successful student will have their own 'mentor tutor' who will guide them through their individual development. '1 to 1' tuition sessions will be arranged 'As & When' you wish, to suit your needs.

Learning tools:               All students will receive the following on joining:

• DVD
• Learning Pack/CD
• FREE Assessments
• Certification/In-depth Feedback on all assessments
• Informal training at the OSA Centre

Senior Instructors have joined the OSA and gone on to be Martial Arts Assessors in their own right. Developing generic management skills needed as a 'modern day' martial arts manager has helped their business grow through managing their own network of clubs with up to date techniques and support systems that are essential to all successful businesses.

For those of you that might worry that we have neglected the belt system entirely, fear not and read on..

As a typical example, the Lau Gar syllabus is split into eight modules; once the student has completed these modules, they are then eligible to complete their black sash assessment. On successful completion of this assessment, they are then awarded their black sash.

You can also train at our centre at Bellfarm Social Hall in York. The sessions there are run on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The lessons are conducted separately from the training centre sessions. The purpose of the training centre sessions is to provide a supplement to the skills that you learn in the lessons. Go to the training times page for more information on what the sessions offer and the times that they are on. If you are interested in joining, come along to one of these sessions where you'll be able to speak to other students and instructors to see what we're all about.

We teach several variations on the Lau Gar syllabus: Lau Gar, Kickboxing, (Low) Kickboxing and Freestyle. Go to the Level 1 tuition page for more information.