Dr. Do Trong Tuan - Vice Rector of UDA gave flowers to Mr. Gregorio Noakes

These are the main contents shared by Mr. Gregorio Noakes - an experienced teacher of Steiner method, a former teacher of Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner school (Australia) to teachers and employees of Dong A University and Sakura Olympia Bilingual School on the 6 th of April.

Classroom overview

The education method Steiner was first created by Rudolf Steiner (1861 - 1925) is an Austrian educator and philosopher. In 1919, he established the first school using Waldorf method at the tobacco factory Waldorf Astoria in Stuttgart, Germany. Currently, there are over 2000 kindergartens, more than 1000 schools, 700 childcare centers and so many parents as well as homeschooling programs that are using Steiner method.

“Education is putting too much emphasis on theory and competition. On the contrary, Steiner method is different as it not only develops cognitive thinking for children but also focuses on their behavior, passion and creativity. More precisely, the method is mainly aimed at three basic factors of human: thoughts, emotions and willingness.” Mr. Gregorio Noakes said.

According to him, the education philosophy Steiner puts emphasis on such core factors as nurturing imagination, education without dependence on achievements, no judgement, no assessment based on success, positions in society, wealthy and so on.

Rudolf Steiner supposes that a child is born with a powerful willingness, which is also a source of energy to nurture their passion. The child will be passionate and always try to do useful things. Teachers’ mission is to help children nurture and make their dreams come true. The subjects of Steiner are diverse with not only compulsory subjects such as science, language, mathematics but also other subjects such as sculpture, art and so on.

Having explained the Steiner method in each phase, Mr. Gregorio Noakes told that during the preschool phase, children will live in happiness without any judgement and nurturing imagination is the source leading to creativity. “During childhood, children should spend time playing and enjoying the nature without periods. However, at many preschools today, students have to study too much to play with friends when attending classes.” Mr. Gregorio shared.

When studying at primary schools, their emotions will be nurtured through every subject in order to develop the passion in studying from every aspect instead of just logical or abstract thinking. Subjects taught at the primary school Waldorf are not aimed at abstract thinking. Instead, children will learn better through practical experience. Even mathematics will be taught with the relation to beauty, which will wake thoughts up and nurture the willingness.

When attending high school, students will learn through logical thinking, abstract thinking and scientific knowledge will be gained through critical thinking. Students will carry out scientific research project lasting for several months. Students become better at art subjects. Their works are similar to artists’ or musicians’.

According to Mr. Gregrio Noakes, in Steiner method, teachers play a very important role. At Steiner schools, teachers are only instructors who guide children learn with their own interest. Teachers will be trained with practicing methods to motivate children through different activities, scientific and art projects lasting in weeks.

“According to studies, the creation quotes of children learning by Steiner methods are higher than those learning by traditional methods applied in many countries. Individuals who used to study at Waldorf school have made a big contribution in different fields that require creativity such as architecture, film, music, art and so on. They are Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, Kenneth Chenault - the CEO of American Express.” Mr. Gregrio Noakes said.

In the afternoon, Mr. Gregrio Noakes also shared a topic called The Beauty of Mathematics in daily life. With interesting stories and lively examples, Mr. Gregrio Noakes shared different ways to encourage students to brainstorm and love Mathematics more.

Classes took place lively with physically active games

According to Mr. Gregrio Noakes, Mathematics means unattractive numbers. However, it is a necessary subject. As long as children love Mathematics, they can develop a lot of other skills better.

Teaching mathematics by using learning activities, brainstorm games will make children feel more interested and be able to find connections between formulas. “Through this way, children can brainstorm independently without too much support from teachers or instructors; simultaneously, children can be more flexible and think more logically when working on math problems on their own. In addition, teachers should give them compliments which are the source of motivation for them to make progress.” Mr. Gregrio Noakes shared.