Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Black Belt?

Instructor Danny holds a board for a student during a Board-Breaking Competition

The shortest time frame is about 30 months.  That time frame includes testing for a new belt every 2 months and starting at *just* the right time so you'll be eligible to be recommended to test for your Black Belt right before Black Belt Testing. 

How long it takes a person to earn his/her Black Belt really depends on the person. 

What Happens During a Class?

For the most part, classes follow a predictable pattern.  First, students line up, salute the flag and bow to the instructor.  They then spend some time warming up and stretching their bodies.  The instructor then leads the class in practicing known skills and learning new skills.  This is the main part of each class.  The students then return to their lines and sit while they talk with the instructor about the current week's Black Belt Life Skill.  These skills include (but are not limited to) Commitment, Dependability, Positive Action, and Politeness.  The students then do one last warm down exercise and then finish the class the way they started it, by saluting the flag and bowing to their instructor.  Last, students form a circle and listen to any announcements the instructor may give.  One student is then given the honor of leading the class in a Tae Kwon Do cheer.

While the pattern of class may be predictable, we strive to vary the activities as much as possible so as to keep our students engaged.  We have a long list of warm ups and stretches that we select from as well as many ways of teaching skills.  Our class schedule is broken out by belt levels to ensure that all students receive belt-appropriate knowledge.  The skills we teach to a white belt (a beginner student) varies greatly from those we teach a red belt (a more advanced student).

New students join the school as "no belts."  We offer special classes just for our new students so they may learn the rhythm of class and basic skills.  Once students have earned their white belts they attend classes in our main classroom.

I Stopped by to Watch a Class.  Was Part of the Class Conducted in Korean?

Yes...and no.  Classes are taught in English but we do teach our students how to count in Korean and the Korean names of the skills they are learning.  Korean is the "universal" language of Tae Kwon Do so we teach our students basic phrases that relate to Tae Kwon Do.

How Often Will my Child / I Test for a New Belt?

Group photo after Color Belt Testing at the Lowell Campus (Feb 2005)

Color Belt Testing is held every other month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) and Black Belt Testing is held in May and November.  Students must have earned all of their pre-testing material (demonstrated by stripes added to the belts) prior to attending Belt Testing. No Belt students may test for their white belt as soon as their instructor says they are ready.

I'm Overweight. Can I Still Join?

You should always check with your Doctor before starting any new exercise program.  Tae Kwon Do has proven successful in helping many students trim their waistlines and get in better shape.  New students normally feel a little sore after their first few classes but that goes away as your body gets used to your new activity.