Have You Ever Wondered What it Means to be an International Instructor?

Instructors within the International Taekwon-Do Federation South East Queensland (ITF SEQ) are, in a broad sense, classified into national and international instructors. National instructors are selected from 1st to 4th Dan black belts. While international instructors are selected from 4th to 6th Dan black belts.

National instructors within ITF SEQ are categorised as:

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Assistant instructors;

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Instructors;

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Branch instructors; and

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Senior branch instructors.

Becoming an assistant instructor within ITF SEQ requires the completion of an internal six-month course under the supervision of a national or international instructor. The course manual (seen here on the left) provides information on how, what and when to teach Taekwon-Do students.

As part of the course, the trainee assistant instructor completes three theory exams and three practical exams.

The theory exams evaluate the trainee assistant instructor’s knowledge of teaching methods and Taekwon-Do principles. While the practical exams assess the trainee assistant instructor’s understanding and ability to manage a class.

Progressing from assistant instructor to senior branch instructor within ITF SEQ requires an assistant instructor to gradually take on more responsibilities with the organisation, improving their knowledge of Taekwon-Do and their teaching abilities.

To assist students understand ITF SEQ's internal ranking amongst instructors, they wear badges on the right arm of their uniforms.

The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), which is the international governing body for Taekwon-Do, require national and international instructors to wear shoulder flashes.

Shoulder Flash Worn by 4th Dans and Above Shoulder Flash Worn by 3rd Dans and Below

To become an international instructor, a 4th Dan black belt completes an international instructor course, which is run by an 8th or 9th Dan black belt. The course runs for three days and covers aspects of teaching and Taekwon-Do techniques. After completing the course, the ITF headquarters based in Vienna, registers the international instructor enabling them to teach anywhere in the world. It is also a requirement that international instructors complete a course every two years to maintain their qualifications.

ITF SEQ has five instructors teaching at the Chermside branch. Sabum Anthony Coleman, 6th Dan international instructor, has completed numerous international instructor courses and has 34 years training and teaching experience.

Sabum Jackson Lau, 5th Dan international instructor, has completed numerous international instructor courses and has 32 years training and teaching experience.

Sabum Michael Devine, 4th Dan international instructor, has completed all of the requirements to progress from an assistant instructor to an international instructor over a period of nine years and has 14 years training and teaching experience.

Instructor Leah Dowling, 2nd Dan national instructor with ITF SEQ, has completed the requirements to progress from an assistant instructor to an instructor over a period of 18 months and has 11 years training and teaching experience.

Assistant Instructor Jen Wright recently completed the Assistant Instructor Course in March 2018 and has three years training and teaching experience.