KUNG FU PANDA

I'm sure you've heard about this movie. It is not only original and funny, but it is also appropiate for everybody. The interesting thing is that this movie has a moral value, which deserves to be analyzed.

The story of Po, a panda that has always been following the steps of the family business; which is serving noodles; changes when he accidentally steps into the world of Kung Fu; he is elected to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Then, Po's dreams become reality, his dream has always been to become a legendary warrior. However, his father only wants him to follow the family business. In addition, when he enters the world of 'kung fu', nobody wants to help him; the 'Legendary Furious Five' don't want him to be there, and Master Shifu trains him so hard that Po is about to quit a few times.

Nevertheless, Master Oogway encourages Po not to give up, he is the only one that believes that nothing is impossible, and that we should never give up our dreams. Eventually, Master Shifu decides to train Po. He finds a way of educating Po by motivating him. Even a small advance on Po is a big step, and it needs to be rewarded. Using food, which is what Po most like, Shifu trains Po and at the end of the say, he is awarded with a meal.

What is most interesting about this story is the teaching- learning process that Master Shifu and Po follow. Po does not only learn how to make a big effort and improve everyday, he also experiences the happiness that it comes when you achieve your dreams. At the same time, Master Shifu understand that a Master should give the opportunity to learn to everybody. He discovers how to turn someone's weaknesses into strenghts. 

Concurrently, teachers have to educate everybody in the same way. Because every kid deserves to be treated in the same way. Let me illustrate my point with an example:

'Three months ago, I did my 'teaching practices' in a high school. The very first day of class, I asked my students to tell my their hobbies and what they would like to do in the future. Surprisingly, only the 30% of my class knew what their hobbies or dreams were. The most part of my class told me that they spend their time watching TV and playing video games. When I asked them 'Do you like English', some of them replied 'I'm not good at English'. Consequenly, I wonder why our teenagers, who are supposed to be energetic and active, believe that they are not good at anything. 

Considering that education is the future of a nation, it is our duty to discover our students' passions, likes and dislikes. Once we have discovered them, we, as teachers, should reinforce their likes with our subject. Because the English language, as any other language, is vivid and new everyday. Why don't we listen to English music in class, play basketball or football with the only condition that everybody has to speak in English?

Would that be interesting if we ask our students: 'what do you want to do in the English class'? I am sure we will come up with plenty of ways to adapt our classroom to the students' needs, just as Master Shifu did with Po. 

Po needed confidence, someone that trusted him, someone who guided him towards his dreams. That's what every teacher and parent have to do; to guide kids so they can discover their dreams and illusions.