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DescribeGoToNonPl...

 

TeachingGoToNewcomersDiscussion
   

Let's give each our opinion on how to teach go to newcomers. Hopefully we can assemble it into Teaching Go To Newcomers?

Kris Rhodes: (How about a page on HowNotToTeachGo?)

Dieter: Yesterday, I taught the basic aspects of the game to a newcomer. Then he played one of our clubmembers. I told him incidentally that he should put down the three stones so that White's lower right corner remained empty. Next, I played another clubmember. We wished each other good luck with the game, saying "Onegaeshimas" - or whatever it should be. It occurred that the newcomer was struck by both habits of politeness. He later asked "Should I know other things ?"

I will most certainly include those GoodHabits in my next "first session" and include others like HowToProperlyHoldAndPlayAGoStone in second and third sessions. People usually get overwhelmed by too technical explanations. They just love it when those side aspects come into the picture. And I remember I did.


Scartol: Things I usually include in my first lesson:

  • Basic rules (alternating moves, stones don't move, territory)
  • Atari
  • Ko
  • Connections
  • Corners vs. sides vs. center
  • Life and death -- why two eyes live

... and along the way I toss in the things I find most intriguing; the respect players show each other, the history of the game, how to hold a stone, Japanese terms, etc. I think it's important -- whatever is being taught -- to combine information with excitement.


BenShoemaker: To create a useful TeachingGoToNewcomers? page I think we need to discuss:

  • What should be covered when teaching a first lesson
    1. What concepts are absolutely neccesary to start playing go?
      • Alternate plays
      • Liberties
      • Atari
      • Territory
    2. What concepts are advanced / semi-optional?
      • Ko
      • Two Eyes
      • Corner vs Sides vs Center
      • Joseki
    3. What concepts are completely optional?
      • Culture / History
  • What are good ways to teach?
    1. What order should concepts be introduced?
    2. How to adjust teaching to the student?
    3. Should the "capture game" be used?
    4. How to keep things fun and interesting?

I personally would find the organization and completeness of such lists to be very helpful. (As I think about it, it would be nice to have a list of concepts for the beginner to study further, not just during the first lesson. If the list could be in order of complexity, that would be great, but maybe at least ordered to allow certain concepts to build on others.)

Dieter: I think we have that already at TeachingPaths and BeginnerStudySection



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