To Grade Or Not To Grade

Is A Grading Syllabus Just A Moneymaking Process?

- Shaun Rawcliffe

MANY WING CHUN schools today seem to be adopting the Belt or Sash grading systems more often associated with Japanese martial arts systems, despite the fact that in Hong Kong and China there have been no such grading or symbolism of rank. So, is it a good thing?

By 1989, after almost seven years of Karate study (achieving a Second Dan grade) and then a further 10 years of Wing Chun study in the UK (during which I achieved “Instructor Black Sash”, following numerous gradings), I decided to further my knowledge by studying Wing Chun in Hong Kong. There, I was pleasantly surprised to find that none of the Wing Chun Sifus I met utilised a grading syllabus, had a Belt or Sash system or indeed carried out any form of grading at all, preferring instead to simply teach and develop their students at a pace that suited that student and allow those skilful, experienced and knowledgeable enough to assist or teach.

For me, this was a revelation and a very welcome surprise, having gone through several typical grading and Belt/Sash oriented syllabi previously that, though they hadn’t done me any serious harm, did leave me with a sour taste in my mouth for several reasons —the first of which was the financial penalty attached to the gradings. The more advanced I became, the more expensive the grading process, despite the fact they did not last any longer or demanded more of the examining instructor than the most basic gradings. As an instructor, I know that the piece of the floor a senior student stands on is not more expensive or costs more to heat, light and insure than the piece of the floor a beginner stands on, so I struggle to see the justification for the increased cost.