Muda USA

We are non-Korean family that went to Mudo USA. We have an enormous problem with the language that had been carried in the school, of course besides English.

This school is opened in the US for English speaking, however the grand master is extremely comfortable in speaking Korean and willing to teach the entire classes in Korean even when there are students who are non-Korean. For instance, during sparring class, when a non-Korean student is paired with a Korean student, the grand master speaks Korean and teaches/coaches Korean student, leave non-Korean student untaught, depressed, not understanding, feeling isolated and low in self-esteem. The important fact is that all students speak English fluently! We believe it is not the ability of teaching; it is a choice of teaching! And choice of teaching is navigated by favoritism, which is common in this school. There is definitely an issue of discrimination in this school. It is called “national origin discrimination” (according to US Department of Justice), involving treating students unfavorably because they are not from a particular country, Korea.

Don’t forget to take into account the fact that we are paying to have our children learn taekwondo in English, not in Korean and all students are paying the same rate of tuition. The non-Korean students are treated unfair because they are not speaking Korean language, the same language that the grand master speaks, obviously that causes the discrimination. It is unacceptable!

There is no exception for whatsoever reasons; English and English only should be carried during the entire opening hours of the school. This school has opened since 1999, so it is its tradition to speak Korean in class, leaving non-Korean students treated unfair and hang in there wondering themselves whether they all should learn how to speak Korean. The grand master does it, all other instructors follow. Dear Parents, speak up for fairness, make your money worthy, make your children happy and deserve to learn what they are supposed to learn and understand.

We are also from Mudo USA and we are very disappointed about the ranking promotions provided from there.

Let’s talk about black belt promotion test. Its cost is 10 times more than a regular ranking promotion ($500 vs. $50). Unfortunately, the test’s requirements are not more, not at all. My children felt taking the black belt test was exactly the same as the regular promotion except adding the push-up and crunching. However, my children were not prepared thoroughly for the test or the physical activities (push-up, crunching). We were counting for them and they did not fulfill the requirement but the master ignored it and let it keep going. They did not practice well their forms, or kicks, or breaking, or sparring. It was not their faults to perform poorly because they did not have any preparation or any extra time of training or practice. They went through routine class as normal until the date that they took the promotion. If there is no extra practice or preparation for the test then how come the cost is 10 times more? Moreover, children did not feel special after they took the black belt test to become a black belt because it was the same as a normal ranking promotion.

In conclusion, we would like our children to earn their belts, especially black belt. Importantly, belts cannot be given based on attendance only. Students must learn the skills needed, must be shown the correct techniques and must be checked during practice, then during the ranking promotion, demonstrate them well to earn their qualification.

We seriously have suggestions for this school regarding its black belt promotion requirement for better improving purposes. Students who will take the black belt promotion should have a schedule of extra practices in order to prepare well for the promotion. Six months, that would be an adequate number, starting since the students have their assistant black belt and extra practice should be available weekly. By that way, students will ramp up their skills, confidence and physical ability to be ready for the test. Since the cost is extremely high, extra practices should be included without extra fee. Black belt promotion should also have its curriculums and standard requirements for students to have a clear goal for their focus. Then passing the black belt test will deserve to be an honor of wearing a black belt. We believe the authentic taekwondo spirit that everyone would want to learn should be this way.

Now, with this school’s ranking system, children think of black belt just like an expensive toy that parents buy for them. They can show it to their friends, wear it since they own it. It’s just another belt (with 10 times more expensive)! That shows how disappointed we as parents are!

My children had been going to Mudo USA and we would like to share with you our review about this school.

Should you spot a red flag for Mudo USA? YES, definitely YES, and Why?

The design of this school is to MAKE MONEY, it is often called “MCDOJANG”. Quality of training and belt promotion standards are compromised to INCREASE PROFIT.

This school places more emphasis on profits than on discipline and skill. Belt promotion is every two months and students are not prepared well for the test. There are no standards of skills that the students are required to perform. As long as students PAY, they will pass the belt promotion test no matter how inadequately they know their forms or how unsatisfactory their performance are. For some students it takes them 10 times to break the board. Still, everyone pass as long as they PAY the fee for the promotion!

There are students who take quite some time off of practice, still get recommendations to take the ranking promotion. Doesn’t matter how unprepared they are, they will pass the test as long as the parents PAY!

Regarding the responsibility form that students need to turn in before the belt promotion to qualify for it. There are half of the students do not turn them in, still as long as the parents PAY, they are allowed to take the promotion test. Teachers are not following discipline and guidelines, how can they teach our children???

Even worst, now the belt promotion testing is offered at the same time when the students have their regular classes. Students are pulled aside for their test while others are having their regular practices (which are paid by monthly). Parents are paying $50 for the promotion, which is offered in the regular class. Still, parents are also paying for the regular class, but their children do not have a routine training, they are taking the ranking promotion. It saves time and effort for the grand master and instructors because their time is “incredibly valuable”! In opposite, parents are paying double to have their children moving up another rank while missing the regular training. And of course, no standard of performance required, as long as parents PAY, every student will pass the test!

More important, what would be the effects to the students, especially young ones? Students do not feel the honor of earning another belt or another rank. Simply because they do not EARN it, parents BUY it. This is often called “BELT FACTORY”. The requirements for ranking are very watered down in this school. It is awful that our children learn martial arts this way!

This school has been called many names (as in quotation mark as above), but “authentic taekwondo academy” is seldom one of them!