By Mr Kwok
This post is a follow-up from the last, Why do students perform poorly in their studies: Getting to the heart of the matter. It acts as a positive counterfoil to the negative factors mentioned in that post. In contrast to a student who performs poorly due to a lack of heart, a student who performs well is simply the antithesis – someone putting heart into his work.
Many times, we as educators feel exasperated when our students perform poorly despite our best intentions and efforts. Other times, we celebrate when other students perform spectacularly well, possibly exceeding our expectations.
2 Different Groups of Good Students
For the latter group, how often do we see advertisements announcing their achievement of getting an A grade after initially failing in the subject? Perhaps too often. We are certainly not belittling their achievements. They had put in their share of sweat and blood and hence deserve their accolades.
The point we are trying to make here is not to overlook a quiet group of students continually working hard in the background. In a society of quick gratification, their existence can easily be washed over. Their academic results are hardly sensational and do not pack the punch of a 6-grade improvement. They are nevertheless motivated and persevere quietly in the face of small improvements and occasional setbacks. The trend of their results is not a consistent bull run but consists of a series of small spikes and dips. Still, they trudge on as they recognise their own weaknesses while celebrating every success they achieve, no matter how small.
Perspective of the Educator
As educators, we have a duty to spot these students who are like unpolished gems. Recognise the goodness in them and nurture them to become the best they can be. That does not necessarily mean getting a top grade but at the very least, see to it that they continually improve in their small steps and encourage them when they encounter setbacks.
Here in iMatter, we believe in the pedagogy of continuous guided practice, assessed performance and retention enhancement in helping each student. These are the pillars of education and benefit any student with the heart to study. Therefore, we teach with a rigorous adherence to these principles.
Our Model Student
Shun Ci came into our centre for English and Math tuition right at the beginning of Secondary 1. She is ending her stay with us soon as she is completing her Secondary 4. Suffice to say, we appreciate her trust and confidence in our teaching methods and teachers all these years.
As explained earlier for this group of students, her results are not spectacular leaps of improvement. Rather, they reflect both setbacks and small increments. We recognise this fact and importantly, can see the gradual improvement in her competency over her time with us.
Signs of a Quietly Good Student
- Focuses on working through the steps correctly to get the correct answer
- Willing to ask for help if necessary
- Reads each question carefully to avoid misunderstanding it
- Checks through her answers at the end to avoid careless mistakes and blank answers
- Meticulously follows written or verbal instructions
- Pays attention in class to optimise her time spent there
- Does not engage in other activities in class e.g. checking mobile phone, chatting with others
Keeping Expectations Realistic
Rather than expecting every student to go from Fail to A in three months (or any other time frame that you are fixated on), it may be more realistic to expect a series of steady improvements over the years, polishing the student into the gem that he or she can be.
An Old Chinese Proverb
To end this post, it is apt to add this old Chinese Proverb to remind our readers that in the realm of studies (and everything else), fortitude and determination trump.
天下无难事，只怕有心人
It literally means nothing is difficult in this world if one has the heart to overcome it.
Please contact us for the latest fees and schedule of our tuition programmes.
