It has been ruminating in my mind for a few days in my mind. My whole being is being churned - thinking of it. I don't know why but I place a lot of hope on people, especially students. I hope they will grow, they will see and they will learn. I tell them often that the word 'success' and 'succeed' and 'achieve' are all relative - it is dependent on each individual. You can't have one scale for everyone because we are all born with some inherent talent, and given our environment and background, we acquire a lot more that shapes each of us. Also, this inherent talent is useless until you have discovered it and honed it. Finally, nothing comes without hard work. A person may be good at singing, but only practice makes perfection. Instead, if she/he is going to think that talent will carry them far, it is only a heuristic (may succeed/may not succeed).
So, if you are in education especially, you will have a class that is mixed - some bright, some not so bright but very hardworking, some average, some below average. In all this, there are quite a bunch who are technically sound or otherwise, scared to communicate for their background and environment did not give them that scope. To overcome this, I try enforcing things in class. One thing I do enforce is that 9 - 5 students try to talk in English. Yes, it is not a native tongue. However, for a student aspiring to be a Software Engineer, basic communication skills are essential to survive on the job.
Mind you, I have nothing against Indian languages. Emotions especially, I find it difficult to articulate in English for many a time I feel that the word is too light or too strong for what I wish to convey. However, for survival we need to know to communicate in English. With this focus in mind, I try to enforce it in class so that those who are disadvantaged can overcome it before they set foot on the threshold of placement. In all this, what I find defeating is that the privileged (those with English education) don't walk their way in doing something for the larger good. A little sensitivity, understanding and patience is all it needs to help their colleague's take a jump. However, that is sometimes a major hurdle.
So, I move, trying to work it out differently, hoping against hope and searching for a glimmer in that darkness. I remember Srikanth, that boy who had it in him to try and did succeed and the class that stood with him. He is the picture I remember when I feel like giving up. I still hope against hope, for I have one success story and I know it can be replicated manifold.
