THE REALIA METHOD

  

   

   In schools and learning institutions of today, the teacher has to face many new challenges in disseminating knowledge and information to their students. The challenges in question is not the lack of materials or resources but rather the opposite, with the unlimited proliferation of it. The teaching community needs to realise that the exclusivity of their position has been diluted with the advent of The Internet of Things. The role of a teacher or tutor has morphed from being very specialized into something which is more fluid and interchangeable in definition. They have to play and display many facets to engage their target audience, the students as otherwise the students will just lose interest and move on. Now, teachers do not have the comfort of knowing that they are the only mainstream source of knowledge propagation.

   With this reality engrained, we will look into a neo learning method called “Realia”. This concept could have been in practice unknowingly for ages in many cultures but attempts to classify and document its application has become proactive in recent years. The word realia is derived from Latin, meaning ‘real things’. This concept is basically the usage of objects or materials in teaching related to everyday life, cultures, languages, etc. Though having started by leaning to more arts and sociology related platforms, there are no proven restrictions to discount its usefulness in science and IT subjects as well. We would have noted on the trend of moving away from a textbook emphasizing culture into more hands on or engaging methods and realia has been at the forefront.

   To further dissect realia related activities in teaching, it is pertinent to look at certain examples of this method. In teaching vocabulary or grammar for English or any language for that matter, a few simple exercises can be carried out. For example, a pair can be chosen to play a small game of throwing a ball to one another. The catch here (pun intended) is to get the two students to engage in conversation whereby each of them will need to make a sentence or utter a dialogue before throwing the ball to the other person. One can imagine how this activity will be interesting whereby conversation practice is done in an enjoyable manner at the same time. It might seem fun while doing it but after completion, the student will take away valuable tips on verbal communication. Or in the field of science, many of us will definitely agree that we were eager and also absorbed more from our annual science exhibitions than those gleaned from in the classrooms. This is due to the audio-visual experiment and hands on approach of the tests which stimulates the cognitive system most efficiently compared to the alternatives.

   Expanding on the obvious advantage of realia is the physical appeal of sight, sound, smell and touch which automatically excites and stimulates the learner and makes it ultimately memorable. Those moments that stay with us are the memorable ones. Memorable in this context can also be linked to memory as we would want the lesson to be recalled fully even after considerable time has lapsed. So, both enjoyment and retention span are guaranteed with this realia method. This in turn will always ensure interest in that particular subject does not diminish and promotes the student’s creativity. The student will be taught that learning is not something confined to just books or classes but can be gained from the surrounding, people and objects. With this mindset cultivated, they will venture out and live life by also learning from it on their own.

   With all the goodness of realia championed, it does make us wonder if there are any weaknesses to this realia method. The answer to that is there is no perfect system when it comes to teaching. All systems need to be modified accordingly to cater to its target group and the negatives need to be minimized so that it does not have a significant impact on the final result. One major drawback of realia is that it depends on the teacher who employs it without any commonly accepted measuring yardstick or reference. It is unlike a textbook whereby the module and guides are spelt out and chances of deviating from subject matter is rare and promptly detected even if it does. When variables of this nature exist, eventually the learner will also contribute to further confusion on the method’s success. Students comprise various mentalities, understanding, skill sets and capacities. Some might grasp the realia objectives faster whereas some might need more coaxing and support to do the same. There is also a minor concern that students might get too engrossed in the materials used rather than the lesson itself and the preparatory work and expenses involved to prepare materials for a class of students.

   All in all, the teaching culture is growing at a tremendous pace now with new methods and materials being discovered or innovated on to produce desired results most efficiently. The realia concept is one of the more popular examples which has seen a rebirth due to the refreshing take which it brings to both the teacher and student alike. It should be welcomed and incorporated accordingly in daily life and studies as the positives definitely outweigh the minor deficiencies its implementation might have.

Written by: Paramjothy Paramaselvam for Tuitionprovider.com

TIGER PARENT : TO ROAR OR NO MORE?

       There are many works of literature today to choose from to broaden our knowledge and viewpoint of any subject matter. This can be provided by both fiction and non-fiction topics. One such subject which piqued my interest was that of a phenomenon or role called “tiger parent”. This tiger mother or parent was coined or maybe gained popularity from the book ‘Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother’ by Amy Chua. The book is basically a memoir of the author in raising her children using strict and disciplinarian tactics to achieve academic excellence. Rather than being a review of the book, this write up is to delve more into the role of the conventional parent, the pros and cons of it and also to look into other alternatives.

    It is always best to start with the positives of this culture of strict parenting. The existence of this practice is well known, especially in Asian cultures where prominence to seniority, respect to elders, adhering to the tried, tested and working model is the norm. There is nothing wrong in maintaining a system or formula which can guarantee success in whatever endeavor that we set out to do. Implementing discipline among children is done with the hope that they will grow to become good individuals with well moulded morals and character. A tiger parent strives to assist the child to learn his or her deficiencies and to work harder to rectify or even eliminate a so called weakness. The child will be taught on how to be productive and responsible, particularly in their studies and learn not to quit, no matter how impossible a situation may be. Strict parents will also drive home the mantra that expecting greatness and not accepting mediocrity wherever possible.

    However, it is not all rosy with being a strict parent. For proponents of the saying ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’, it needs to be brought to their attention that in actual fact, sparing the rod might be the best method to actually help the child become better. What dilemma most parents face is to clearly define and differentiate between discipline and punishment. Discipline aims to make the child to comply with rules deemed beneficial for his betterment. There must be proper explanation of why a specific rule needs to be followed and what the consequences will be of breaking it. For example, a parent might impose a rule that watching television should not exceed two hours a day. By breaking that rule, the parent should advise that the child’s studies will be affected, or eyesight might deteriorate and even time spent for extra-curricular activities will be spent unwisely. Rather than doing this, parents tend to emphasise on the different levels of punishment that will be meted. This will only lead to the feeling of resentment rather than learning the true essence of discipline.

    Excessive discipline also adds on to the fear and pressure faced by the child. Children should be allowed to grow and learn new things at their pace without having everything forced on to them. Even enjoyable activities like learning a new hobby or sports can become tedious and torturous when there is no freedom granted to take in the experience but in its place, there is timetable to plan out each and every hour of the child’s life. Another serious impact it will have on the child is on the social aspect. The child will be affected mentally and emotionally and may not have the adequate social faculties to foster and preserve a relationship. This will actually be a manifestation of the years of disciplining the child had to endure in his or her formative years.

    With these points clarified, the role of a parent can be defined clearly. Any parent will need to know that their child is special and unique, unlike any other and needs their attention and guidance to realize their potential no matter what that may be. If the child needs more time and patience to find that, then so be it. It is pointless to measure their progress with another child’s or with accepted standards of measure solely. Individuality need to be cherished rather than abhorred. On the issue of discipline, parents must inculcate desired principles by way of explaining and practice rather than the threat of fear or punishment. Discipline is a way of life to adopt and not a set of rules to enforce without proper justification. In today’s world of knowledge proliferation, children are not fully dependent on their parents but also use the “Internet of Things” and their friends for reference and opinion. This shows their preference for a source which is not judgmental nor overbearing in imparting any knowledge or experience. Therefore, the parents of today need to take on the role of a friend who will lend an ear and shoulder whenever needed. What can be concluded is that parents do not need to fall into the trap that the world is a jungle and that they need to morph into “tiger parents”. Just being human parents will do. 

Written by: Paramjothy Paramaselvam for Tuitionprovider.com

ENGLISH : A WANT, A NEED, A MUST

   A fresh graduate is waiting anxiously for his turn to be interviewed at a big multinational company. In another place, a post graduate student is laboring to complete her thesis. Elsewhere, a secondary school student was walking up to the stage rostrum to present his views as a debater in his inter school debate competition. All three characters are not related nor share anything in common except one. All three were in the process of offering their ideas, viewpoints, feedback, etc on a certain subject. To do that, they would need to communicate in a language which could be understood by all. What is that language? Well, English it is.

   No one needs any reminding on how ubiquitous and vital this language has become in our daily lives. From science to arts, from politics to religion and many other fields, the English language has taken an irreplaceable position in regards to communication. With this, you can imagine how we all will pull out all the stops to master this language. Right? Or is reality a total contrast of this? Without going into dry statistics or reviewing the decisions which has been taken from pre-independence up to now, it can be agreed that the role of English has gradually diminished in the education sector and even other industries in our country. This is fine but for the fact that its role has increased tremendously everywhere else.

   Though it is not pertinent to continuously analyze why the decline took place, taking note of it can inform us on the steps to rectify and reverse this decline. The main responsibility has to be shouldered by those who devised and implemented education polices which has brought this malaise. The constant changing and short term enforcing of policies need to be stopped. Both the national language and English are special in their own rights without comparing which is greater or the so called threat that one has over the other. Strong decisions need to be taken, for example the teaching of STEM subjects must be in English. There are no two ways about this as all terminologies and concepts are published worldwide using this language and need to be grasped by our students. Detractors argue that learning in native or national language is easier to understand and give examples of developed nations using their mother tongue for dissemination of knowledge but it should be noted that these examples are well versed in English and are forefront leaders of their fields.

   The next in line will be the education institutions and parents. Schools will need to take proactive steps to make learning in English more fun and wholesome without adding fuel to the misconception that English is hard or uninteresting. They will need to adopt unconventional methods like maybe incorporating non-classroom material like newspapers or even comics or by having indirect fluency enhancing sessions like conducting a drama or play. In other words, what is being stressed here is to promote the pleasure of learning the beauty and intricacies of English without making it mundane or tedious. Parents will also need to be main movers and shakers of this change. No matter the existing policies or the non-existent helping mechanisms in place, parents will have to provide the best options for their children to master the language. They can arrange separate or additional classes for English mastery or expose their children to English clinics or seminar. They can also go the extra mile by conversing only in English at home even if it is littered with mistakes as nothing makes perfect better than practice.

   Finally, our whole nation and her citizens need to modify their mindset on English. Firstly, there is nothing to lose but all to gain in admitting the position of this language in the world today rather than labelling it as a colonial language. If this primitive thinking is not altered, it will only be to our own detriment rather than the language’s. It is also not beneficial if we just stay away from English just because of the initial hurdles and hiccups which is natural to be encountered anytime a new or non-mother tongue language is learnt. It is vital to stress here that both the national language and English need to be seen and treated separately as they both serve different needs and in no way will one displace the other. Not in the past, not now and never will such a scenario take place. I conclude this write up by requesting you to ponder on this. Like how a mother would not forbid her son from venturing to the outside world to improve himself, so too a motherland would not stand in the way of her ‘son’; from learning a language which will ultimately serve the son well.

Written by: Paramjothy Paramaselvam for Tuitionprovider.com