Notes on the Method of Teaching International Understanding

Methods of teaching adopted to teach various subjects, in world unit, mutual cooperation, and interdependence, faith in humanity, sympathy and love. Universal brotherhood should be impressed upon the students. How this can effectively be done depends on the competency of teachers, their methods of teaching aids and media that they use.

The way of presentation and languages for the purpose are to be decided according to the needs and conditions, psychological, cultural and social of the pupils. At the primary school stage story telling method is very effective where at the secondary stage project method or any kind of activity method brings better results than any other method for teaching international understanding.

It should be also impressed upon the young pupils that differences in living, culture, religion and even appearances are mostly geographical or historical or ethological. But the human passion, emotions, strengths and weakness are universal.

Hence too much weight should not be given on the so-called superiority on inferiority ideas which are accidental and temporary. Hence rational thinking, objective outlook and scientific attitude should be encouraged through teaching various subjects which are essential for the development of internationalism.

Co-curricular Activities

The following co-curricular activities should be organized in educational institutions for developing international understanding. In these activities students find freedom, flexibility and pleasure as result of which the learning experiences are enjoyable as well as effective. This enables teachers and educational institutions to realize objectives as a whole. Some of the activities are:

1. To celebrate the UNO Day, Children’s Day and other international days and years.

2. To encourage students to make companionship with children of other countries through pen friends.

3. To develop a habit of reading news papers and journals.

4. To encourage students to listen suitable radio programmes and T.V. Programmes.

5. To celebrate birth anniversaries of greatmen of all nations irrespective of religion, political racial barriers.

6. To organize exhibitions and fairs of toys on social and cultural lives in different countries of the world.

7. To inspire and encourage students to participate in international competition like Shanker’s Essay and Arts Competition and Soviet Desh Competition for children.

8. To arrange talks from persons coming or returning from foreign countries on various aspects and issues.