Classroom Etiquette

The academy and classroom etiquette is designed to foster an environment where students are comfortable and able to learn in a safe and structured environment.  The following etiquette rules are based upon respect.  You must show respect for yourself, your classmates, your Sifu and your school.   These guidelines enable students to concentrate on learning without distractions that may interfere in their training.

1) Always address Sifu Fong as Sifu.

2) Always address the instructors as either Si Hing or Si Je, not by their first name.  Men should be addressed as Si Hing, and women as Si Je.  Muay Thai instructors should be addressed as Kru (pronounced “Kroo”).

3) All students are required to bow: entering and exiting the training room, at the beginning and end of class, to their partners before and after a round, and any time Sifu enters or exits the training area.  Students have a five minute grace period after the class begins to be admitted to class.  If you arrive after class has begun and within the grace period, please wait at the edge of the training mat until the instructor acknowledges for you to enter.

4) Do not socialize while in the classroom.  Warm up or work on your form.  If you want to talk to someone else, please go into the back room or outside.

5) It is important to pay respect to each other when beginning a drill and when pausing for instructions from the instructor.

6) When the teacher gives instructions to the class as a whole or to you as an individual, always respond with respect to acknowledge that you understand the instructions.

7) Always pay proper respect to any visiting instructors, including addressing them by their proper title such as Guro, Ajarn, Khun Kru or Si Hing/Si Je.  When in doubt, Sir or Ma’am is always acceptable.

8) When the instructor calls time, stop talking immediately, pay respects to your training partner, and then give your attention to the instructor.

9) Always pay proper respect to senior students in class.  Men should be addressed as Si Hing and women as Si Je.

10) Remember, whenever you are outside the Academy wearing the Academy logo, everything you do reflects back on the school and Sifu Fong, so please behave accordingly.

11) At the start of class, please make sure that all your equipment used in the class is stacked neatly on the edge of the classroom for use during the class.  It is disruptive and a waste of your valuable class time to stop and search for equipment.  At the end of class, please gather your personal equipment and return equipment to the school or its owner.

12) It is the responsibility of all students to maintain a clean and pleasant training environment at the school.  Please do your best to help out and not leave trash or equipment lying around.  After the last class, please assist us in cleaning the school.  If you are not sure where you can help, please ask.