Help- intelligent twin kids 15yrs - have problem learning languages, hence other subjects and spellings Hindi?

Question

They are a girl and a boy.They are to take their board exams next year [ICSE classX].
Q1. Should they drop class IX exams this year and focus on languages?
Q2. What best way to make them learn languages?
Q3. Could it be a psycho dis-order needing medical help?

Answer 1

Hi - in my years as a language teacher I regularly came across kids who were otherwise bright, but struggled with language learning. I wouldn't force them to study a foreign language if their aptitudes lie elsewhere, but if they are keen to learn a bit, they might benefit from a different approach such as a fun course in the foreign country, perhaps staying with a family - or having a foreigner stay at your home. Personal contact with the country often works wonders!

Answer 2

Firstly - congratulations on having such bright kids!

Secondly - at 15 they are quite mature enough to be able to communicate to you the problems they are having, perhaps?

There are many reasons why someone may have particular difficulties in mastering a certain subject: not always logical!

For starters: our brains are 'wired' differently - some people have an affinity for mathematically related subjects, whilst other excel at languages. (These subjects require completely different paths of thought processes and logic).

15 is a typical age where your strength in a particular pathway will start showing - because subjects become more complex and difficult -- so those who have TALENT/AFFINITY will leave behind those who are merely INTELLIGENT.

I was considered 'gifted' at school and excelled in all my subjects (A++ in each subject) until the age of 16. When suddenly, my maths started dropping out. I got straight A's for computers, physics, biology, chemistry, latin, law, music, french, english, dutch and arabic... but my final mark for maths, was a D!!

Many OTHER factors, besides talent, contribute: like/dislike for a particular subject, talent, good teachers etc. etc.

DO NOT FORCE THEM to continue with languages - you will DESPERATELY waste their time... if it is not what they excel at, or want to do!!

If I could use all the time I spent STRESSING over maths, crying and studying, taking extra lessons --- and spend that time on another subjects I have TALENT for -- for example languages, I could probably have got TWO MORE A's and learnt TWO MORE LANGUAGES, instead of struggling with maths.... and getting an end result which was a SHAME for me on my certificate.

Don't waste their time -- they are at the age where their ability is SHOWING THE WAY of where their strengths lie -- dont ROB them of achieving BLINDINGLY amazing results in what they are good - simply becuase there is pressure on them to do something that they do not have the affinity for.

Since I am good at languages, I can tell you this: for me, learning a new language is VERY easy -- regardless of what method is used to learn. Its about as hard as learning a new song. HOWEVER - the key is in practical application. The best way to CEMENT a language, is to read it EVERY DAY, hear it EVERY day, speak it EVERY day.... else, you have a jumple of knowledge inside your head, that you can't use comprehensively.

Sorry if I sound a bit... fierce... its just that my experience as a child, forced into a subject field that wasn't for me, made me angry.

Good luck!

Answer 3

dont worry it wiil all turn out tobe alright in the end!!

Answer 4

get a grip...