Rote Learning was part of my education.  I started school in the 1950’s in South Australia.  I recall repeating words and times tables, over and over.  It was something we did at the beginning of class on most days.  I can’t remember the details.  It was a long time ago!!

I am surprised how negative most younger people are about rote learning.  It is said that it is learning “parrot fashion” repeating over and over again, with little understanding of what one was learning.

As one who learned using the “rote” system, I cannot understand why modern educators are so against it.  My recollection is that we knew what we were repeating over and over again, and for me it “stuck” in my memory.  Times tables I know – and my grandchildren were always impressed how I remembered so many things.

Additionally, we had spelling and math’s tests almost every morning.  If I recall correctly, we had 10 words each morning, and 10 math’s questions.  The latter was called Mental Arithmetic.  We were enragedd to quickly work out the answer in our minds. Our results were not recorded.  It was about learning, not testing.  Although if one received high marks we were impressed.  I am sure our teachers knew who the good spellers or arithmetic students were.  It was about LEARNING.  It was just one of the learning techniques that were used.

Rote Learning in China

In China where I taught in 2008 and 2010, I was surprised to discover that students were encouraged to learn by rote.  Students would walk around the campus reading, repeating.  It is not surprising that the Chinese education is highly regarded.  Students do work long hours in the classroom and doing homework.

I actually enjoyed Rote Learning.  I think also it enables ALL students to participate.  Especially sounding out the letters of words.  We did learn, or know the meaning of the words, we would repeat them.  Days later we would have those words in a quick early morning spelling test.  I believe it worked for me.

There are other countries around the world that use different learning techniques and are doing well.  Rote Learning, I believe has its place.  Students though should not be required to repeat continually if they do not understand what they are saying.

Spelling Horrors!

There’s no doubt that the standard of spelling is much lower than it was.  Now, even journalists can’t get spelling right in newspapers,  despite the great spellcheck programs.  It is certainly not helped by the abbreviations that are used in text messages.  Silly abbreviations and I understand why they do it, but it doesn’t help the English language skills.

Chinese Testing Methods.

I will say here that I am suspicious of testing methods in China.  So I wonder if the high quality results are valid.  I experienced systematic changing of marks in exams to ensure that all students passed their tests.  Several times I was reproached for giving students poor or zero marks – in fact when I gave students zero marks for not doing their exams, I was in big trouble.  The parents were “generous to the university!”

Here is another article on the Chinese education system.