The Joy of Learning Success: Starting with Learning English and Computers

Author: Zhong Daolong
Editor-in-Chief: Ning Youquan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-09-01
Features:
Abstract
This book is derived from the speeches delivered by General Zhong Daolong on radio stations in Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shanghai, and other places regarding English and computer learning, and is refined and supplemented. It comprehensively introduces his unique and effective learning methods and thought processes. The book is divided into four chapters, covering the following topics:
1. The Need for Learning in Modern Life
2. The Joy of Learning Success
3. "Dedicate Yourself to Your Work, Love It, and Master It," Enjoying the Pleasure of Applying Knowledge
4. "Three Beliefs and Three Non-Idols," Strive to Master English and Computers as Tools, and Walk Steadily Towards Success.
This book is suitable for high school and college students, teachers, parents, and all who wish to achieve learning success but have not found the right approach.
2. Embracing the Challenges of the Times
Now, the world has entered an information-based network society, where social development is rapid, and knowledge is updated and renewed at an incredible pace. Even if the job one pursues after graduation aligns perfectly with their field of study, they will still encounter many things they did not learn in school. To excel in their work, they must learn while working, acquiring new knowledge through self-study. Those who have just graduated from school must especially avoid the mindset of "If I didn't learn it in school, I won't know it," and instead adopt the idea of "If I didn't learn it in school, I will self-study."
In terms of a person's overall knowledge, the education received in primary, secondary, and university is only a small part, and mostly consists of foundational knowledge. A vast amount of practical knowledge can only be mastered through self-study. Only when one recognizes the rapid development of the information-based network society will they feel the urgency to learn, become motivated, and seize time for learning. Those who fail to recognize this urgency may not realize how far behind they are but may instead view others' efforts to catch up with the times as "having foresight."
For example, after China's reform and opening-up, many people deeply felt the importance of English and computer skills, so they rushed to catch up and studied hard. However, by the 1990s, some still claimed that learning English and computers was "having foresight," yet in reality, they had fallen far behind the times. With a sense of urgency, one will cherish every rare opportunity to learn.
It is important to know that for any level of education, you can only attend once in your lifetime (e.g., only once in high school, only once in university). Therefore, time is of the essence, and one must seize every chance. However, many people, especially those lacking life experience like students, may not fully understand how rare these learning opportunities are, and thus fail to cherish their precious time.
For instance, passing the college entrance exam and being admitted to university after competing against hundreds is a rare opportunity for higher education. Yet, some develop the mindset of "relax now that I'm in," some believe that entering university guarantees job security, and thus take their studies lightly, thinking "60 is enough," leading to poor academic performance, and some even get kicked out. They will surely regret it when they enter society.
Life is like a sports competition—it is a struggle, a process of striving for excellence. Learning is like rowing against the current: if you don't advance, you fall behind. Moreover, the education one receives from primary to secondary school is a complete system, and missing any part will be felt later. For example, some college students struggle with calculus, and the reason is closely related to their poor performance in high school algebra.
In today's society, which is rapidly developing, professional knowledge is updated quickly. To become a modern person who keeps pace with the times, one must adopt the philosophy of lifelong education, stay updated on domestic and international developments related to their field, and seize every opportunity to improve themselves.
Learning makes one realize their own shortcomings. A person who keeps learning knows that there is too much to learn and that there are many who are better than them. They will take these people as their role models, view acquiring knowledge as their greatest ambition, and remain humble, maintaining a vigorous spirit of progress.
To vividly illustrate the fast-paced nature of today's society, some scholars have compressed large time scales and proposed the concept of "the last 7 minutes."