Teaching history for schoolchildren has been a heated topic constantly. There is a common belief that local history is more important to children than world history. In my opinion, I think that studying local history is important but it should be in conjunction with world history.
Some people may claim that the insights into the local historical values are completely enough for one to live. Their argument could be true a few decades ago when most interpersonal communications were between people of the same race and origin. However, this view is now outdated, as the world has become globalised and international business and migrant workers have made any community a global village. In this context, an understanding of a foreign country’s history would enable future local workers to reinforce the relationship between them and the people from other country.
In addition, I am strongly convinced that children would benefit the most only when the learning of local history is placed parallel to that of world history. To understand a local historical event, children should put the regional and sometimes even world context in that historical era into consideration. For example, children should acknowledge that the event that India regained its independence from Britain in 1947 only happened after World War II and understanding both these events will give them a better picture of local and world history.
In conclusion, it can be inferred from above analysis that the study of local history should always be parallel to that of world history. This practice would guarantee that children learn history more comprehensively and be able to tighten the bond with migrant workers in their country.
Important Vocabulary:
• Notion: A notion is an idea or belief about something.
Example: I reject absolutely the notion that privatisation of our industry is now inevitable.
• Insight: If you gain insight or an insight into a complex situation or problem, you gain an accurate and deep understanding of it.
Example: The project would give scientists new insights into what is happening to the earth’s atmosphere.
• Interpersonal: Interpersonal means relating to relationships among people.
Example: Training in interpersonal skills is essential.
• Globalize: When industry globalizes or is globalized, companies from one country link with companies from another country in order to do business with them.
Example: As the world becomes more complex, some things do, of course, standardize and globalize.
• Global village: People sometimes refer to the world as a global village when they want to emphasize that all the different parts of the world form one community linked together by electronic communications, especially the Internet.
Example: Now that we are all part of the global village, everyone becomes a neighbour.
• Reinforce: If something reinforces a feeling, situation, or process, it makes it stronger or more intense.
Example: A stronger European Parliament would, they fear, only reinforce the power of the larger countries.
• Context: The context of an idea or event is the general situation that relates to it, and which helps it to be understood.
Example: We are doing this work in the context of reforms in the economic, social and cultural spheres.