Have you ever wondered why you never understood mathematics, biology, or physics in high school? Why you thought, “I guess I’m just not smart enough to understand this subject.”
One possible factor might not have been the subject’s complexity, but rather the language used to explain it.
Every subject, be it mathematics, literature, or science, comes with its unique vocabulary and structure of language, much like studying a foreign language.
Understanding the ‘language’ is crucial for mastering the subject.
In this post, we’ll explore how understanding the language of a subject is the first step towards becoming proficient in it. We’ll look at how specialized terms, context, and communication play pivotal roles in learning.
1. The Use of Specialized Terminology
Every subject has its own terminology – the special words or phrases that are used in a particular field.
Let’s take the subject of English. We start learning the language by studying its grammatical components, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
This is also true when studying a specific subject.
Math, for example, uses terms like “integer,” “function,” and “quotient” to help students solve math problems.
We often begin learning a new subject with great curiosity and excitement, only to lose interest because we did not master its terminology early on.
Tips:
When starting a new subject, you or your child should familiarize yourselves with its terminology. Find a glossary that defines these words; review them until you fully grasp their meaning.
Careful study of these specialized words will ensure a strong foundation in the subject.
2. Understanding Context is Essential
Mastering the terminology is key before studying the subject, and it’s equally important to see how some words are used in context.
The word “variable” often has a different meaning in science and math. Physics uses the word to mean something that is changing, but in statistics, it means a characteristic that is measured, documented, and analyzed. The way the subject defines words within a context influences our understanding of the topic.
Tips:
If the context remains unclear despite understanding the specialized words, find online examples, such as videos, to clarify the context. You might encounter a word with a different meaning in this subject.
3. To Grasp the Subject, Communication Is Key
Has anyone ever helped you understand something complicated, leaving you feeling grateful for their clear explanation?
While the speaker may have been knowledgeable, effective communication was key to your understanding. Mastering a subject’s language involves communication.
It’s not enough for your child studying biology to simply memorize the steps of photosynthesis; he or she needs to fully understand the process and communicate clearly.
Tips:
One sure way to check your child’s understanding of their school subjects is by asking him or her to explain the concepts to you. This gives you a quick way to see how well your child understands each subject.
4. Summary of Key Points
It takes more than just learning the facts to master a subject; you need to grasp its language as well. Mastering any subject requires familiarity with its terminology, understanding how these terms are used, and the ability to communicate the concepts effectively.
We hope these tips help you or your child better understand how to master any subject. Interested in learning more? Call or schedule a free assessment to explore how we can help you or your child.
