Learning a new language is fun....

There are so many languages in the world......learning a new one can be fun. When learning a new language, we need to develop our LSRW (learning, speaking, reading and writing) skills. There is a very important question which surfaces all along when learning a new language.....Should we try and read a lot in a language to master it? The answer is, a simple yes.

A very important part of getting the hang of a language is vocabulary. And, reading helps improve vocabulary in a language, as there is repeated exposure to words and phrases.

While learning a new language there are many ways to ensure that we read adequately and well. In these times, it is not difficult to find reading material. Just about read anything that comes your way, is good to read. It could be pamphlets, blogs, news on the internet, newspapers, short stories, even instruction manuals. 

It is a good idea to start small. Then, move on to more difficult text.  Do you get the gist of what you are reading? Yes? Then, you can consider it acceptable progress. Full marks to you. :) 

You will get better with more practice. Read the entire text at one go, even if you do not understand it completely. 

But, how does it help? You can speak and write better if you read. If you uUse the words and phrases learnt, in conversations and while writing your ideas, you are good to go or even better!!! It is a great start!! 

Another question which can pop up is, whether it is a good idea to constantly use a dictionary while reading. Well, well.....why ever not?? It definitely helps to use a dictionary sometime. You get help with unfamiliar words and phrases. You only need to always remember to check on that difficult word, even if a bit later. Nowadays, the dictionaries are available online and on apps. Very smart to use your smart phones to the best of their abilities!!! ha ha ha ....

Now that we are on our way to handling the language well.....is it prudent to let our knowledge stay in our heads? Certainly not, with a capital N.....Speak, write, and read more. Practice more. Always make an effort to use the new vocabulary, you learned while reading. You know what they say about rusting skills!!!! 

Languages are fun, they are to be revered, handled with care, loved and cherished. After all, they help us understand our kind and make this world a more fun place to be.....And yes, one more thing....try and keep abreast of changes in the language you are learning. Yes, languages also change and adapt to the times. Quite a lesson there for all us.....

  

Dangal

Have been wanting to  say something about 'Dangal', which I watched sometime back. What a movie!! Very competently directed & edited. Actors did a fabulous job. The real story of the two female wrestlers who have done India proud, A gripping storyline.

What guts!! To educate girls, to make them wrestlers, in a village which believed in marrying them young, keeping them  away from the limelight. Take them to fight in Dangals, -Indian wrestling matches. Is the man for real!!!??? You bet, he is. And, his daughters have done him proud, very proud.

Aamir Khan, the actor who knows gold, made the rivettng story about the two wrestlers. One thought crosses my mind. Would the movie have got the attention it deserved, and rightly so, if he was not acting in it and produced it? Maybe not. A big star gets attention and a deserving project gets its due attention. A man of foresight. Aamir marketed the movie well and trained his actors well.

How much more credible it is for people from humble backgrounds to make it big, as also people who have to fight it out to realise their dreams. Becomes more difficult for women . And, no, I am not prejudiced. Women end up facing more than one obstacle in their path to glory. To highlight the passion of women to dream, the people who support them,  takes a greater passion and belief. That their story will get the eyeballs it deserves.

Dangal stands out thus. A commendable effort. From the technical aspect, of course. But, also the deep passion, belief, faith and love that went behind the movie. A commendable ode to the father and daughters who made their dream possible.

Education....serious business??

School admissions.....exams....entrances.....Academics in the air in the spring of the year. Set me thinking about what we think about education, not merely academics. 

Educating young minds is serious business. It influences their world view, their ability to carry themselves in the face of challenges they encounter & are likely to encounter, as also their interaction with the world at large. Education helps mold beliefs & habits, imparts skills, knowledge and builds personalities.

Merely transmitting knowledge from a teacher to a pupil is not enough in this day and age. As a matter of fact, it never was. But, in some age and time, maybe it sufficed. But, the need of the hour though, is to impart knowledge which can be applied in life. Not merely facts & figures, but life skills too. To be able to live well, one needs to understand that there is no one right answer for anything – there could be many and one should be able to reach the right answers that there are and use the best applicable. Who but the teacher can help here. 

Education needs to arm students with the ability & skills to analyze the complexities in various issues and arrive at the best possible solution. They should understand that there are no blacks and whites to everything, solutions can be multi-hued and with careful & introspective analysis, arrive at the best solution. 

Sounds complex… maybe yes. But, impossible, no way!! 

Students require the skill sets for developing, among others :

• ·        Ability to understand & handle technology     
• ·        Analytical skills
• ·        Communication skills
• ·        Aptitude & ability to collaborate in teams
• ·        Ability to design, collect & analyze information
• ·        Repertoire of factual knowledge

They need to be educated to empower their young minds to face, head-on, the world they are growing up in and better it.

The education system requires to imbibe more of applied knowledge in the curriculum, with factual information serving as a conduit. Much like the education for the warriors of olden times, wherein they studied the art of war along with the required scriptures. For this, the educators need to pay attentive heed to implementing a strong education system to develop young minds.

Along with a strong curriculum, the teachers need to be trained to imbibe & teach applied knowledge. Unless teachers understand the importance of ‘21^st century education’ and can impart it with necessary skills & expertise, the premise will fall like a house of cards. And yes, their skills & knowledge have to be enhanced from time to time. The effort has to be concerted with educators, administrators, students and parents all working towards the desired goal.

And, most importantly, the education system should be examined periodically at all levels, to meet the challenges of each time zone. 

Makes sense? Immensely, if you ask me. Education is the basis of human living and a humane way of life. It deservedly should get its due share of attention from all of us. With all seriousness, always ....

Wat say?