Learning is not exclusive to the elite. It does not depend on social status, money, or where you live. You do not need to be a genius or “good at languages” to pick up a new language—every human brain is wired to learn. What we really need is a supportive environment and a genuine interest in the topic. When someone connects with a subject and has chances to use the language, they will naturally absorb both the content and the language itself. Schools can easily create these opportunities.
Learning Made Visible
Learning can be as automatic as seeing. We do not learn to see; we just open our eyes. Similarly, with learning, we only need to focus on what’s essential and tune out distractions. Guidance from a teacher or peer can help us catch important but subtle details, like the hidden arrow in the Amazon logo connecting A to Z or the “31” in Baskin Robbins indicating the 31 flavours. Teachers make abstract concepts visible and understandable, transforming learning into something real.
Challenges in Achieving Goals
Despite our best intentions, we do not always achieve everything we set out to learn. Think about three recent goals, like learning to drive or mastering a new recipe. Which did you stick with, and which did you abandon? Often, we give up because a task feels too challenging, irrelevant, or boring. This shows that we learn best when we are passionate and genuinely interested.
Lessons from Video Games
Kids quickly master games like Minecraft, even while struggling in school. These games are complex, requiring them to strategize, adapt, and stay focused, but they still enjoy it. Games create a powerful motivation to learn by keeping players engaged. This sense of flow could be used in classrooms, where tasks should match students’ level and provide immediate feedback, creating a safe and enjoyable learning space.
Turning Learning into Joy
Bringing these game-like features into the classroom can shift students’ mindset from “I have to learn” to “I want to learn.” Activities that include progress tracking, feedback, and rewards make learning a rewarding process. With these techniques, learning becomes more enjoyable and effective, leading to confident and engaged students who achieve their goals.
