 1.The Instructor:
*Credibility
Look for the instructor's credentials, certificate, awards, trophies, plaques, pictures. Check for authenticity and look to see if the instructor's claims are legitimate. How many years of teaching experience? Was the Instructor in the military? And is the Head Instructor still training under a Grandmaster Instructor with rank of 8th Degree Black belt or higher. *Integrity
Look for a direct line of instruction. Who taught the instructor? Where is he from? Who taught the instructor's instructor? Where is he from? Check for pictures and certificates to back the Instructor's claims. It he still training with he master. *Authenticity
Look for a connection to the country of origin of that particular martial art. Example; if the martial art is from Korea, Does he know and teach the culture? *Commitment
Does the Master Instructor Sah Bum Nim (Master rank: 4th Degree to 7th Degree Black Belt) teach all the classes? Does he have one of his students teach for himself who is not properly qualified to teach a class? Warning: The Master instructor should always be present during class or in the Dojang. Does the school specialize in teaching children about self discipline, respect for others, and building their self confidence? Some schools are nothing more than baby sitters for children. Head of Association Kwan Jang Nim (Grandmaster Rank is 8th Degree to 10th Degree Black Belt)... *Accountability
Is the Master Instructor affiliated with a legitimate Federation, Association or Union? Warning: Some schools have no federation, Association, Organization or union. Worse yet, some use a marketing company as their "association". An authentic federation or organization provides support, guidance, and quality control for the school and its students. (Not a home made Organization). But a real One.
2.The School:
A. How often do they test? If you are testing more than four times a year watch out! Students need sufficient time to practice between tests.
B. Make sure the school is clean and professional.
C. Be wary of "Black Belt Factories", schools that produce a Black Belt in under One years have a quality problem. Children should not receive a Black Belt until the age of 8 or older because they do no posses the maturity and or mental ability to be a Black Belt. (Student may test around 3 times a year.)
D. Does the school have family activities? Such as tournaments, demonstrations, picnics, Christmas parties. Look for a school that has activities the family can do together.
3.The Schedule:
Find out how many times you or your child can practice a week. Find a schedule that works for you. 4.The Students:
Make sure you can watch a class. Look at the quality of the students. Do they look precise? Do they have power or do the look sloppy? Do the students show discipline and respect during class? Do they respect their instructor?
5.Tuition:
A. The monthly payment should be reasonable, but do not go to the cheapest place. (A round $95 a month) In the martial arts you get what you pay for. Some individuals are looking for the cheapest price and think all martial art schools are the same. They are not. Martial Arts Schools are a service not a product and each school varies from very poor quality to excellent quality. Taking in consideration all the factors mentioned above, choose a school by its overall quality and not price. B. Agreement vs no agreement
Some schools offer a low monthly price with no agreements, and do not tell you they can change your monthly fee at any time. If they test their students frequently then ask what are thier test fees? Schools like these are not professional martial art schools and the instructor does not believe in his or her ability enough to offer agreements. These types of schools are run by someone who usually has a second job and is not a full time Instructor. These schools usually close down within a few years. "All Professional Schools offer agreements." It takes time to see results from any martial arts you practice. Therefore, you need to make a commitment to the school. The longer you practice the better you get. Also with an agreement you are guaranteed that monthly price for the duration of the agreement. Black Belt of Karate is the only full time Tang Soo Do School in Canada to have a Letter of Appointment for Promotion of Gup & Dan Rank in Tang Soo Do by the American Tang Soo Do Association/UTC, the Canadian Tang Soo Do Association & First Canada Tang Soo Do. Email: gmcarltate@shaw.ca Call Today (403) 284-2251 
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