Yeh, sparring should definitely be available, but for beginners I don't think getting stuck into hard sparring early on is productive.

The way that I've had most success both learning and teaching, from the grappling side mainly though:

a) Learn a technique broken down slowly
b) Drill a bit with no resistance
c) Drill with 50% resistance
d) Drill with full resistance

Going full on with a beginner just causes them to spazz out in most cases cos they don't know what they're supposed to be doing and they're under pressure so don't have time to think about the technique they've been taught.