Education in the UK - How is the education system?

The Importance of Reading - Is Your Child Reading Enough? When was the last time your child read a book? With the advent of newer technologies and increased use of the internet, our reading habits have somewhat changed. The paradigm is swiftly shifting from reading physical books to online resources and e-books. That’s not to say there’s a decline of reading ethics, but somehow reading an old-fashioned paper book is to some extent losing its influence and appeal over digital reading. Personally, I prefer actual books to e-books however, we’re looking at the act of reading, so whatever form is used it will benefit your child. Regarded as one of the most basic skills that forms the core of a child's learning process, reading can never be under-estimated for success in education, for any career and in developing a good self-image. Here are the top 6 reasons describing why children should read. 1. Reading – An Important Tool For Academic Success Research has s...

Does India Really Like The UK? On a social media platform, I was asked to answer this question. The original question was actually worded, "Why Does India Not Like The UK?" Here is my written response: In what context are you asking?  Do you mean the people of UK, the climatic conditions, British Politics, education system, working in the UK, current economic standing, the dominance of the British Empire or what?? And when you say India, do you mean Indians in general or do you mean the Government of India? I will still attempt to answer this question. Having lived in India and being of Indian origin I feel India has a strong liking for the UK. I will explain why: 1. The role of the British Council. While in India, I had the opportunity of working with the British Council and its libraries as a school teacher, resource worker and as a parent and can confidently say that they do a fantastic job in enabling  Indians to connect with the UK .  British Council |...

How Difficult is the CELTA? The Certificate t English Language Teaching to Adults, otherwise abbreviated to the acronym CELTA is definitely a challenging course. As an experienced teacher I thought I already knew everything about the teaching of English but to my surprise, I was shocked as to how much I didn’t know! CELTA teaches you how to teach to ensure learners learn what they’re supposed to learn, i.e. the English Language. It also allows you to appreciate the learner as a unique being, to understand their background, culture, their personal circumstances and their motivations to learn English, which are all important factors to consider when teaching. In a nutshell, I would say the CELTA course is not difficult if you’re prepared to put in the hard work. You will need to be self-critical and improve on your weaknesses and believe me, these will be identified by your tutor. A word of advice: When you are carrying out your teaching practice (TP), don’t take offence of any...

How You Can Sharpen Your Child’s Mental Ability Each child is different from the another when it comes to the abilities they possess. While some naturally possess high numerical abilities enabling them to solve mathematical problems, others have artistic, athletic or outgoing talents. Even though the major portion of their abilities are influenced by their genes; training and development taken by their brains can make significant differences and improve their overall potential. Children's intellectual abilities can be improved from a very young age. A study conducted by the Harvard University Preschool Project reveals that children’s personal experiences, which can either be good or bad, also contribute to their cognitive development from 1.5 to 8 years of age.  Parents play a crucial role in the development and growth of their child's mental ability by deciding experiences that they undergo. For instance, engaging them in extracurricular activities such as sports and...

Importance of Maths Confidence in School Children The anxiety of understanding mathematics is quite common in children and can have a great impact on the whole learning process. The same subject that triggers anxiety and stress has another side - a side that can excite, entertain and energise children. The fear of maths, can sometimes shatter a child's confidence, but this problem can be addressed by taking up strategies to reduce mathematical vulnerability thereby making children resilient learners by making them understand the underlying beauty and importance of the subject in everyday life . A strong mathematical foundation is important to improve the level of confidence in children. Here are some excellent strategies to improve maths confidence in primary school children. 1. Dispel Common Maths Myths to Increase Confidence  A common problem which underlies the fear of maths in children, is the myth which prevails about its difficulty.  When perceived as a...