Teaching reinforces learning

As a callow youth I had a lot of faith in astrology. (Now it is on the wane) I consulted many astrologers and palmists but I found that they were all telling palpable lies to satisfy their customers. One day, however, a friend of mine suggested that I should see an elderly astrologer who was practising his profession in the first floor of a hotel in Chatham Street, Colombo 1. As I was working in an office close by I had no difficulty in locating the place and the astrologer.

After climbing two or three flights of steps I found myself staring into the face of an elderly man. He beckoned me to sit down and looked at the wall clock immediately. Then he marked the time on a sheet of paper and started writing some figures. I was so anxious to know what he was doing but I had no courage to question him. He cleared his throat after some time and then told me in a stern voice, "I don't think you have to know the planetary position. Those are useless for young people like you. However, I'll make one or two predictions. If you like, you can take them down because I usually don't give anything in writing."

I pulled out my notebook and was ready to take down his predictions.

"You're going back to school at the end of this month," he said even without looking at me. At first I did not believe him because I had finished my school career and was employed in a government department.

"Yes, you will be going back to school without leaving your present job. Your final destination is school."

I wanted to unravel the mystery behind those words but he was in no mood for a question and answer session. So I paid Rs. 250 and beat a hasty retreat down the staircase.At the end of the month I received an appointment as a visiting lecturer at a leading university. As he had predicted I started going back to school. In fact, I enjoyed teaching. If not for the occasional disturbances at the university, I would have even considered serving as a fulltime teacher. However, when I found that my work was not appreciated I switched over to a private educational institute. I think all teachers are in the `learning business'. Teaching is some kind of learning. This may sound paradoxical but that is the truth. I think all of us are meant to learn something or the other. When we are learning, we are living. Only learners know how to find new ways to solve their problems. Non-learners come to them for advice.We are living in a rapidly changing world. The world I was born into is crumbling down and a new world is emerging. I was born at a time even the ordinary radio was a luxury item. Once I pleaded with a mudalali to switch on his radio to listen to one of my favourite songs sung by Rukmani Devi. Today radios are all over the place - even in your pocket!

Many people stop learning when they get a job. But such people do not know the value of learning. Continuous learning is necessary for human beings.

This does not mean that you have to enroll for various courses advertised in newspapers. Continuous learning should be developed as an attitude. If you want to live in a changing world, you will have to learn. Without learning you cannot face the challenges. When you become an adult, you think you are an expert. This is one of the greatest obstacles to learning. You have to be a child at heart to pick up new knowledge. A child is curious to know what is happening in the world. Peter Drucker, the eminent thinker, once said, "To make knowledge productive we will have to learn to see both forest and tree. We will have to connect."

If you are a continuous learner, you will know how to connect, how to face problems and how to live in a changing world.For them every problem is a challenging and every instance is an opportunity to learn a lesson.Continuous learners remain flexible in character. They are always willing to go that extra mile to do something for their fellow being. For instance, I have a friend who turned 70 last month. He is now learning to play the tabla. Another friend in the same age group has taken to painting in a big way. Learners should try to teach what they learn. This helps them to understand their subject better. For instance, if you wish to learn English grammar, start teaching it! Very soon you will be a grammarian.

Enjoy learning! Enjoy teaching!