Learning and Interest

Scholars of the older generation often edify young people to develop

interest in learning because they have been enjoying the real pleasure in their study. Thus they are never hesitate to cite their own example for advice， in hopes of encouraging young people to get access to scholarship in an enjoyable way. For example， the distinguished scholar Liang Qichao once said， “Im the person advocate for interest-ism. If you break down the stuff ‘Liang Qichao by chemical method， there would be nothing left except an element named ‘Interest.” Mr. Liang was a man with profound knowledge who paid high attention to interest. He attained great academic success because he pursued scholarly study solely for its own sake， without any external motivation. A man who is really interested in learning sometimes does act like he is enchanted， as he forgets his approaching old age and devotes himself to work had even to the neglect of his meals and sleep. Isnt it natural for such a man to achieve great scholarship？ Refer to Mr. Liangs later works， such as his historical research mothod， political and ideological history of the pre-Qin period， as well as the works on Mohism， Buddhism and Tao Yuanming， were motivated by his interest to accomplish. However， can the same be said of his younger days when he studied under a tutor and read ancient Chinese books？ Was he motivated by interest while learning to write eight-part essays and imperial examination poems？ No， I dont think so. Regarding to the so-called interest， it is compared to the time when a man is mature to engage in his study. And its improper for young people to place too much value on interest while they are still in the period of learning the basic knowledge. Without solid foundation for learning， interest will never develop. It is considered that the profound learning and talent of Mr. Liang was mostly due to his solid foundation of knowledge.

I have come across many young friends who are intelligent and hardworking with excellent grades， but they couldnt express their ideas appropriately in Chinese， or even write a well-read letter. When asked about the reason， they said they were not interested in the Chinese language. Some could write readable essays but detest the study of mathematics and physics， and barely managed to pass these examinations. When I asked them why， they said they were not interested in them. They take it for granted that it is promoting interest-ism as they speak volubly with smug and thick-skinned attitude while they leave aside the subjects they dislike like something worthless. They hardly realize that there is no interesting learning in the world， but it all depends on how we exploring the interest in learning. You will get new discoveries and find interest among the studies step by step under the guidance of a good teacher. On the other hand， you will find learning boring and feel frustrated if you learn a subject not thoroughly or improperly.

People with an average natural gift have similar capability of study in the basics of literal arts and natural science. They are never instinctively to be good in one subject and poor in another. It is laziness and willfulness that makes one to give up and back down with the cover of “no interest”.

The knowledge taught in primary and secondary schools is normal and basic. Even the knowledge taught during the four years of university will be quite superficial too. The university has often being misleadingly referred to as the “highest seat of learning”， which sounds as if there were no more learning beyond it. The research institute of the university， however， is the place for preliminary scholarship. And even though the study here is also superficial and the emphasis is on research methodology and practice. Learning has no limit， and life is short. Therefore， our ancients keep on studying no matter they are poor or old， as they find an enormous interest in their studies.

During the stage of preliminary learning， from primary school to university， it is better to recommend discipline rather than interest. A reasonably arranged curriculum， like a nutritionally balanced recipe， must include all the useful and indispensible courses that are equally important and cant be altered. The so-called elective subjects mean only some little more choice within the scope of a certain item. A well-educated person is like a professionally trained dramatic performer. While undergoing the training， he must obey the strict discipline and pay equal attention to singing， acting， and acrobatic skills， as well as to learn to play different roles. It is only after he has finished the all-around training then he begins to develop his specialty according to his interest. One person can get benefit for a lifelong time if his learning has solid foundation. Of all the school subjects during the preliminary stage of learning， languages and mathematics are the most important. Languages serve as a tool for reading and communication. Without a good knowledge of Chinese， you will find it difficult to express your ideas. Without a good knowledge of a foreign language， you will find it difficult to absorb new knowledge from abroad. Mathematics is the best training for logic thinking. Other subjects also have their respective uses， and it is hard to say which is more important. For example， Physical education is also extremely important from other point of view. In short， we should temporarily put aside the interest while in school， and observe school discipline patiently in order to become a solid stuff. As to the interest of learning， lets enjoy it gradually in the future.

【作者簡(jiǎn)介】寧波，中國(guó)土木工程集團(tuán)有限公司。