While the convocation ended last weekend , I was also undergoing soft skills training as part of the induction program for the new recruits, since August 5 which ended yesterday.Earlier I had the view that this training is not required for new recruits and that is it waste of money and time for the company.However, I feel being stupid of having such presumption, as the program turned out to be really educational, informative and motivational.Having spent 6 months at the company as an intern, I was able to relate things quite well.
The topic which was covered during the day I left for convocation was on networking, rapo building , meeting etiquette and what I found very interesting for inquisitive people like me -" paraphrasing and importance of open ended questions".As was told by the instructor, I tried out networking with people.On the convocation day, at the auditorium, I met Arka B., one of my EEE classmates with whom excepting CP-1, I don't think we ever had any much interaction.On probing him, I realized that he was working for "Teach for India" , at a school at Sion(Mumbai).I was amazed to find that a guy who in my my view was of "hi-fi" kind would ever be involved in such work.That aside, what I wanted to know from him was basically what are the difficulties faced when teaching such children and even more importantly how much is language a barrier ?
Firstly, he clarified that, in his case, he teaches for class 3 at an English medium school .He takes classes too for English itself(and also Science).So for him, language is not that much a big barrier.But rather making connection to the students and making sure that even the most intellectually challenged student is able to grasp stuff is a very big challenge.To make sessions more interactive, he has divided the class into two groups - the IRONMAN and the Chotta Bheem, first of which consists of relatively fast learners.He says that students of a given calibre, learn and like to work with students of similar calibre.Though while forming the groups he hasn't told the students that they have been segregated so.Also he said that most of the students are very quick learners when it comes to using computers and phones- which shows that they can greatly benefit from technology.He too is trying to make use of technology in whatever way he can.Making use to projector screens, using pad to involve students in intereactive games etc.Apart from this , he told me another interesting use of mobile phones.Almost each student has a mobile phone- if not the student, then atleast some member in his family.He said that he SMS's the parents regarding the homework and reminds the students too regarding the same.Also sometimes he quizzes students via SMS's.I was really amazed by this! Arka _/\_
During the first few days of our induction, we were told regarding company's involvement is CSR.One of which is their involvement in education.They go on weekends to some schools in villages around Banglore and help/teach there.I too was interested in helping, as anyways I am not doing anything on weekends!! But the main barrier I feel is how the hell am I going to interact with them? I don't know the local language- Kannada.I discussed the same with Arka, and he advised me that you can teach Math(as math is language independent), but still to pose questions it will be a difficulty.Infact he said that it is very challenging to teach maths.He shared one of his experiences wherein he asked one kid 2+3 =? .The kid pondered for around 2-3 min and answered nervously - 5.Then he asked him another question what is 3+2 =?.The kid was puzzled and was not able to answer.He said that really is very tough to understand how the kids brain work!
So what is the way out- thats my question ? - What and how can I help(excepting monetarily) out teaching these kids ?