What is Classical Education?

     " Did you know that over the past four years, new classical schools are launching at a growth rate of 5% per year? "  

Classical education is basically the ancient type of education that teaches students how to learn instead of what to learn. It is the method of learning for students to cultivate their minds, build their characters and be able to absorb much knowledge through a well-rounded curriculum focused on the liberal arts.

In this type of education, there is no need to wear a uniform and stick to only one classroom. Students can learn through different ways like singing, music, painting, creative writing, educational games that stimulate critical thinking, field studies to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

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• Here is the list of some schools that are offering classical education in today's era.

• Hillsdale College

• American Classical Academy 

• Tulsa Classical Academy 

• Ivy Classical Academy 

• Aristoi Classical Academy 

What is trivium? In classical schools, the process of how to learn is known as trivium. This is the step by step learning of a child that promotes critical thinking and well being of a person. The steps that trivium include, we are going to discuss here.

TRIVIUM:

                       Greeks and Romans are the first who started to teach their children in this way. That’s why this is also called the ancient learning style or historical method of teaching. There are the three parts of trivium which are to be elaborate below.

• GRAMMAR:

                      It is the initial level of learning where students focus on mastering the basics of language and subjects. This includes learning vocabulary, sentence structure, and essential facts through memorization and comprehension. At this stage, students memorize the facts and fundamentals of each subject such as spellings or part of speech in English language , formulas of Math, etc.

 The goal is to build a solid knowledge base that prepares students for critical thinking and analysis in the later stages of logic and rhetoric.

We can take the example for better understanding. Let's suppose there is the topic “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone.” Now at this level students read the book and identify key characters (like Harry, Hermione, and Ron), important settings (Hogwarts, Diagon Alley), and major plot points (Harry discovering he is a wizard).

• LOGIC:

               It is a secondary level of learning where students begin to learn about critical thinking and logical reasoning. At this stage, students have curiosity to learn ‘why’. They are going to ask questions about what they learn in their early stages. For Example, why the formulas of Math are created and where they can be applied. In this stage, we have to teach students the ethics of asking questions and answer the questions with wisdom. Teachers conduct debate and discussion for students.

Following the previous level example, at this stage students discuss the theme of friendship and bravery, evaluating how these qualities help Harry and his friends overcome challenges throughout the story.

• RHETORIC:

                         It is the final stage of trivium, where students are taught how to effectively communicate and express their ideas clearly. At this stage, students work on public speaking and writing to present their arguments confidently. They learn the importance of honesty and responsibility when trying to convince others.

Let's understand it with the help of the previous example. At this final stage students argue whether the magic in Harry Potter serves as an effective metaphor for real-life challenges and personal growth. They ask questions about the choices made by Harry and his friends, discussing how those choices reflect themes of good vs. evil.

• There is another framework known as ‘Quadrivium’ following the ‘trivium’.

QUADRIVIUM:

                          It includes four subjects  that are music, arithmetic, geometry and astronomy. Each area of study in Quadrivium is interconnected, emphasizing the importance of understanding mathematical principles and their applications in various fields.

" By passing through these stages, the personality we get is creative, innovative, has wisdom and knowledge, has ability to think critically, has ethics and ability of leadership." 

Why should we know about classical education?

We should know about classical education because; 

• It not just focuses on academics but also on personal development.

• The focus on logic and reasoning skills helps students analyze information and think critically, essential in today's complex world.

• The rhetoric stage trains students to express their thoughts clearly and confidently. It allows them to be an effective citizen with dignity and respect.

•  Passing through the stages of classical learning, they can easily work in various fields.  

• The principles of classical education encourage a love for learning and curiosity, promoting continuous personal and intellectual growth.

Classical Education or Traditional Education?

As we discussed classical education, it is the self development approach of learning while the traditional classification is curriculum based learning. 

Traditional learning styles include lectures delivering and assessment of students through standardized testing. The main goal is to teach specific knowledge and skills to prepare students for further education or jobs.

" So, in my opinion classical education is the best one because it is the one which aims to cultivate independent thinkers who are well-rounded, morally grounded, and capable of engaging with complex ideas."