To mark the event, the British Youth International College (BYITC) is offering free access to its online abacus tool and games-based lessons
This week, the British Youth International College (BYITC) is offering a free introduction to Abacus Maths.
The Glasgow-based education platform is celebrating the opportunity to raise the profile of Abacus training during the annual Maths Week Scotland, which aims to encourage positive Maths learning with a dedicated programme of events for families and schools.
From 26th September – 2nd October, kids can discover a fun and practical way to improve their maths ability with a free live BYITC Supermaths Abacus Maths class and free two-week access to game-based Abacus lessons to test their skills.
Founder of the BYITC Dr Rashmi Mantri is looking forward to sharing the benefits of this effective arithmetic technique. She said: “Abacus Maths may seem to be more complex, but it actually speeds up the capacity of children to perform heavy calculations.
“We believe this method is the absolute best way to learn Maths, based on scientific research that validates the methodology. Kids who learn Maths using the Abacus method performed better in many areas of life.”
Using the Abacus method, children are taught how to calculate arithmetic sums by visualising an Abacus tool and use their fingers to manipulate imaginary beads. This not only allows them to do rapid mental calculations, but also stimulates cognitive development, improves memory and problem-solving skills, and builds confidence in the classroom and beyond.
Dr Rashmi was inspired to share the learning benefits of Abacus Maths after noticing gaps in her son’s mathematical ability. When then nine-year-old Dhruv was struggling with simple arithmetic, Dr Mantri turned to a humble device she had used in her own childhood to help him.
She said: “It struck me that his inability to compute a simple sum reflected the actual situation of maths skills in a great many children. I decided to change the way he looked at numbers.
“After learning maths using the Abacus method, Dhruv could do mathematical calculations even faster than a calculator.”
Dhruv’s Abacus Maths learning has been so successful that he has even made television appearances to demonstrate his arithmetic skills, and is still involved in creating content and resources for the BYTIC. In fact, the 16-year-old helped develop the games-based Abacus classes that are on offer during Maths Week Scotland.
Originally founded as a local after-school programme in 2015, the BYITC has grown to welcome thousands of students from across the world through online classes, and is now the largest Abacus Maths classes provider in UK.
Since enrolling their son Neev (P6) in a BYITC Abacus Maths course, Ojas and Ashmi Lukhi have noticed a vast improvement in his mathematic ability. They said: “Abacus has helped Neev build his power of visualisation and boost his concentration levels.
“He is able to do calculations much faster and with confidence, and he can apply it to his day-to-day activities.”
Meanwhile, Ananyaa has been taking part in Abacus lessons for just six months. Her parents said: “The impact of it is beyond just her performance in Maths. It has given her a very holistic approach to other things as well.
“It has made her more focused, disciplined and time conscious. She has developed an interest in her work – and has won accolades for her effort.”
The Glasgow-based education platform has also developed the world’s first Abacus Maths e-learning application. Suitable for both desktop and mobile use, the app features a virtual Abacus tool as well as videos, practice questions, classwork and homework so pupils and parents can track their progress.
The success of the Abacus Maths courses speaks not only to the positive benefits of this unique learning method, but also to the BYITC team’s passion for youth education.
Dr Mantri said: “There is nothing better than providing education to someone. We are on a mission to develop new age skills in children and make them more fulfilled human beings.
“We want to make British Youth International College the most trusted brand in the education sector. A brand parents recognise, know they can trust, and give their children a future in our hands.”