Kick for life : introducing pupils attending LSZ to the life of the Taekwondo spirit

Abstract

This practice-based research project examines the psycho-social, attitude and behavioural effects of Taekwondo on a group of 8 male pupils attending a Learning Support Zone (LSZ) in a Maltese secondary school, as perceived by the participants themselves. The participant group consisted of a range of pupils with diverse educational difficulties such as mild autism and socio-emotional behavioral difficulties (SEBO) including "socially withdrawn" to "acting out" pupils. Results of their perceived effects were obtained through a qualitative analysis of 8 semi structured interviews which were carried out with the participant pupils after having participated in 6 Taekwondo sessions on school premises. With the aid of a focus group discussion conducted with 5 educators working with the participant pupils together with participant-observation notes during the Taekwondo sessions, the perceived effects were challenged through a triangulation comparison under a thematic approach. Thus the results of this research study were presented in a discussion under different themes relevant to the educational field, including "Confidence and Self-Esteem", "Social Interaction and Social Skills", and "Adherence to Taekwondo Class Rules and Relationship with Instructor". The results of this study, as noted and remarked by the participant pupils and their involved educators, show that the ancient Korean art of Taekwondo can help such students improve: their relationship with and respect towards their school teachers and peers, their self discipline and control over aggressive impulses, their self-esteem and self-perception, focus and attention span, together with social and communication skills. Finally, the study provides a way forward by recommending improvements to the implementation and assessment of the programme; and also suggestions for a longer-term school-based approach in search for more measurable effects such as school attendance and other more relevant effects such as cognitive implications.