Posts Tagged ‘Intention’

Multiple Intelligences and Homeschooling

Multiple Intelligences first came up through the name of Howard Gardner. His theory was introduced to all when his ground breaking book Frames of Mind were published in 1983. The stunning theory from this great man opened the door to a greater understanding of individual talents which included spatial, logical (mathematical), musical, kinesthetic, and verbal. For example the best time or a kinesthetic child to learn when he actively takes part in some action or participating on a physical level rather than competing with paper and pencil sitting in the classroom. In spite of being so talented

A kinesthetic child is often being leveled as a problem student where as the only problem remains upon the teaching method. The basic theme of home schooling is to let the children grow according to their own style. Countries like China and Japan makes their children self dependent right from the very beginning. The first word that a Japanese child learns is “Do it yourself” that reflects the approach of Japanese towards the children.  An ancient Chinese proverb gives a clue its like. “Let me do it myself, I understand, Show me, I remember, Tell me, I forget” one can see this proverb in action watching children play. Kids absorb information at an incredible rate and learn through the senses. They question and explore everything around them because their curiosity is boundless.

The intention of Chinese and the Japanese towards their children is that they let their children explore in their own way without the interruption of any body. Chinese and the Japanese people are being motivated in doing so because of the two remarks stated above about the natural tendency of the children. They give highest priority to the self growing of the child. Every child has his own way of learning. It might not match the expected way of the parents. But they should not loose their temper. Rather they should hold their patience and let the child grow in his way. This attitude of the parents will increase the opportunity for the child to explore his own talent which is the main objective of the method of home schooling.

If the child gets complete freedom to learn whatever he or she likes, the tendency to find the most comfortable way to grow up will increase. When the students get freed up of the restraints of traditional schools, children are enthusiastic active learner stains and ranks for all students nation-wide. In 1983 the Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner was proposed in his famous book of Frames of Mind. Gardner’s proposal said that to create a unique person, there are seven and more recently eight, distinct intelligences works together.

Gardner expressed his requirement of two basic principles at its core to establish the ideal school for the future. Firstly he asked for the authority under which people would be able to explore them completely along with having unique and varied abilities, and interests. Secondly, people should be given informed choices as part of their educational experiences as it’s not possible for one person to learn all. Gardner states that “in assessment of individual abilities and proclivities, an individual-centered school would be rich. It would look to match not only to curricular areas of individuals, but also particular ways of teaching those subjects. And the school would seek to match individuals with the various kinds of life work options which have availability in their culture after the first few grades” The theory of Dr. Gardner can be key element in terms of nursing every child and build them up for the future.

APPROACHES TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Analyzing the theoretic basis of the foreign language teaching, one could find certain confusing terms, so it might be useful to elaborate a little bit its underlying principles which are very frequently linked to the approach to a foreign language. These can also can be bewildering if the character of the relationship between them is not precisely defined so it can remains unclear whether they complement or obliterate each other or perhaps create a dialectic accord.The most popular approaches in contemporary foreign language teaching are the oral approach, in addition to an integrated, multimedial and functional approaches.

An Oral Approach

It is related to the main goal of the foreign language teaching, that is, the student’s communicative competence.Communicative competence is the ability of the student to use the language in real life situations. It is a step further from the goal we used to satisfy ourselves with once before, which was the ability of the student to use the language within the classroom situations as developed in the teaching material. Namely, it turned out that even a by-heart memorized lesson does not capacitate the student to use the foreign language in real life. The goal we set before us is very ambitious and its realization requires the whole teaching process to be fully committed to it, which means modification of the traditional approach to foreign language teaching.

Experience has shown that (despite some oscillations that emerged there lately) we achieve our goal faster and easier if the teaching process starts with the oral phase. Length of the oral phase depends on the age of students, intention of teaching etc.

An Integrated Approach

It is correlated with relationship between mechanical and cognitive adoption of a foreign language. It is well-known that the supporters of structuralistic methods brought the mechanical adoption of foreign languages to the extreme. Bloomfield’s assertion that “Language learning is over-learning; anything less is of no use”, turned into a dogma and gave a green light to insisting on memorizing of sentence patterns.

Reaction that followed meant a complete discontinuation with drills. We were almost on verge of a new grammatical and translation method. A real war broke out between those who advocated for mechanical approach and those who preferred cognitive language adoption.

Luckily, voices of a third group claiming that there is no dilemma between those two approaches, rose soon. Foreign language is adopted both mechanically and cognitively. An integrated approach contains mechanical and cognitive approach, depending on the student’s age and language material.

Mechanical approach will dominate with young pupils and children below the adolescence period, while with older students who can benefit from knowing how the language functions, cognitive approach will dominate.

Choice will, of course, depend a lot on language material. Imitation and repetition is the easiest way of adoption of phrases, clichés, even the phonetic system, while more complex syntax relationships, especially if they include negative transfer of mother tongue, are easier adopted cognitively, following an explanation and having an insight in the language system.

A Multimedial Approach

This approach can be defined as use of all the media that can optimally contribute to the student’s communicative competence in a given situation. What is new in this approach? Choice of media is a part of a system to be complied with by the syllabus creator, the teaching material author and the class teacher.

Among the main functions of multimedial approach is to motivate the students to actually start speaking a foreign language. Technology and informatics enabled the student to see and hear what is happening in a country language of which they are learning, through the films, music, Internet and social networks. That way they can participate in real situations happening over there, which facilitates the process of the foreign language adoption.[1]

[1] M.Vilke, “Multimedial approach in foreign language teaching”, Strani jezici No.3, Zagreb, 1974. p.189-193

Things You Shouldn’t Do When You Write a Debt Settlement Letter to Creditor For a Low Payment Amount

In general, if you intend to settle your debts with your creditors, you are required to plan a proper debt settlement strategy. You can do it on your own by writing a settlement letter and request for a lower payment amount. If you have intention to settle your debt, start writing to your creditors since you have not been making payment for 3 months. Never drag for more than 5 months in taking action.

Here are some important tips you need to remember when you are preparing the letter. There are 3 things you shouldn’t include.

· Never propose to settle your debt by making multiple payments if your intention is to reduce the outstanding balances as much as possible. In common, creditors prefer their debtors to make one single payment and they are willing to reduce more on the total amount.

· You are refrained from using threatening tone in your letter although you are considering filling bankruptcy if your plan is rejected. You should tell your creditors that you are still willing to pay them if they agree to settle your total debt at a reduced amount. Telling them that you are considering bankruptcy is to encourage them to work with you so that they don’t lose out completely.

· Never propose a settlement amount which you can’t afford. If you don’t have so much of fund with you, don’t propose to pay the creditors because you will make your financial situation worse.

Last but not the least, you are reminded not to trust any internet based spam mill to generate a stream of settlement letters for you. Spend time to refer to some reliable sources before you put your idea in written form.

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