que pasa

This letter submitted to The Straits Times in Singapore proposes the case that it is not hard to learn Chinese, contrary to what many Singaporeans think.  He gives his instance of how he is now proficient in both English and Chinese because of his open mind.

I didn't think much of the article at first.  In fact, I ignored it when I read the headlines.  Because I thought it was just some Chinese educated guy or someone with a strong Chinese background bragging about how he learn English which to me is no big deal because I do feel that English is much easier than Chinese.  But then I read it anyway because Asiaone had it flashing in its main headlines for quite a few days. 

I didn't like the way he wrote the article.  "Flogging a dead horse," a friend called it.  We get the point already.  I didn't like how he made learning Chinese so easy because I have struggled with Chinese for the longest time, and am still struggling.  I know it's not easy.

But then, I realized that what the writer said could be applied to anything – from a language to a skill to a sport. That having the right mindset is all it takes for success.  Not necessarily good enough to turn professional or specialize at it, but good enough to be comfortable. 

Then I wondered if he could be right in suggesting that I have narrowed my mind to be biased against something and so could never get good at it.  That, apart from uncontrollable factors, I am hindering myself from getting better. 

I have always maintained the position that as far as education is concerned, if the teacher can stir the student's interest in a topic, the student will voluntarily put in all the effort needed to get familiar with it.  The teacher's primary job is to open his mind to the fact that the subject could be interesting, and second, to facilitate the learning by providing materials, knowledge and guidance.

In the same way, if we are interested in a subject, you can be sure we will be googling it, checking out books or talking to people on the matter.  But what if it's a new subject, or something we just can't seem to enjoy?  How can we create the interest in ourselves, so that that will drive our learning?  May I suggest the following ways:

1. Talk to someone who is already interested in the subject.
Ask them what's so fun/interesting/cool about it.  Hear his passion on the matter and just bask in it for a while.  Just listen, try to picture things from his perspective.  Maybe his enthusiasm will catch on.  I remember when a friend passed me a DVD on ultimate frisbee, it was so intense that I wanted to start playing.

2. Try it out. 
This could mean deliberately signing up for one of those one-day crash course thingies – go with a friend – or when the impulse catches you, just walk-in somewhere, or take up an opportunity that presents itself and get your hands dirty.  Sometimes unexpected and unintended exposure to something lets you realize that you have a natural knack or hidden interest in something.  It's like cooking, some people who have never really cooked before can just throw some random stuff together and it tastes pretty darn good!  Or it’s like that time when my friends and I were in Bali, we signed up for this 2 hours basic surfing lesson...  Crispy Prawn certainly impressed me with how fast she got the hang of the whole thing.

3. Realizing it's not that difficult and can be enjoyable/ meaningful. 
Apart from trying something out, if you can observe from the side how something is done, maybe you'll discover you don't have to be such and such to do it.  Take away preconceived notions of qualifying conditions.  Watch the smile, grin, fist pump or shout of satisfaction when the task is completed, look at the result of the task (if something is created) – wouldn't you want to feel that way, or have something like that of your own?

I think there are so many things in life that stop us from trying things out, but we don't make things any easier when we already think we can't do it, or can't be possibly be good at it.  We are already defeated.  Remember, the goal is not turn professional, it's to get comfortable at it. 

And if it so turns out that you really aren't good at it, you can at least say you tried, you know what its like (which will be great for relating with people) and you know yourself a little better now.  But the flipside is also true; you might discover a new interest or natural ability and pursue that further.

Is there something that you want to work on or something you always thought you couldn't do?  See if you can somehow "open your mind".  Once you're hooked, you'll be willing to put in the effort needed to improve.  Then you will get better.