Teaching according to student aptitude

Perhaps some of you who are familiar with the history of education have heard of the ancient Roman educator Quntinlianus, who suggested that teachers should take different approaches according to the character of different students. This idea was also implemented in the East by Confucius, who lived five centuries before him.

Confucius stood for education for all people, regardless of their social status and origins. He had numerous disciples, varying in intelligence, character and aspirations. That made it impossible for him to teach all the disciples using the same approach. Confucius took notice of this at an early stage. He formulated a method of instruction: teaching according to student aptitude, i.e., conducting education in different forms and adopting different methods of instruction in light of the students’ differing aptitudes.