To say that someone has a natural talent at a sport or in a given area of study would be to say that there are people who do not have a natural talent in the area.

Natural talent in education can be taken to mean one’s  IQ.  If interpreted this way, it means that these kids would be able to pick up newer subjects easier, move on with less instruction, and gain more from a lesser situation.  I think that natural talent was such a large consideration during the time of Isocrates and the Sophists because the teachers wanted to be able to teach the brightest kids. In doing so, they were able to teach the students that would be more likely to understand and fight for their view in the future and therefore ensuring the maintenance of their legacy.

In present times, I think that we have moved away to saying some kids are born with a natural talent for education because of the opening sentence.  People do not want to start off their kids educational life by telling them, “You’re not as talented as him, so don’t plan on doing as well.” By assuming that all of our kids are equally prepared for the rigorous challenge that is academia, we are doing them an injustice in not helping those that obviously need help by attempting to keep their self esteem higher.  With a higher self esteem, it will take more to turn them off from education, which no one wants.