Seminar @ Hindu College: A Report

A One-day National Level Seminar on 'Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language and Literature' was organised by DRBCCC Hindu College, Chennai on 12 February 2015. The Seminar was well-received by the delegates and participants alike. Dr. K. M. Prabhu spoke on Teaching of Language and Literature. Dr. Shreesh Chaudhary, IIT Madras, spoke on "English for All: Methods and Materials". Dr. P. Kannan spoke on Academic Writing.

Excerpts from his speech: 

English is the only subject, at least in India, which is a part of nearly all academic courses. Since the passage of the Right to Education Act, a large number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds have joined schools and colleges, and they all wish to study English as well as any other subject. According to UNESCO, India with nearly 315 million students has the largest number of students in its schools and colleges. This figure does not include students in institutions unrecognised by the government. But the number of teachers continues to be under 10 million nationwide. That makes for a very adverse teacher to student ratio, especially so for the teaching of a non-native language like English which often requires individual attention.

Hence, a review of the methods and materials for the teaching of English is required. In this regard, conventional methods of teaching and materials design will not do. For many students now, English teachers and English class may be the only source and occasion for exposure to English. The teaching goals will have to be more pragmatic and relevant to the learner’s immediate needs. Emphasis will have to be on creating interest in the subject among learners. Teachers’ job will be more to train the students in self-learning than in teaching certain specific items. Speaking and listening will be part of the curriculum just as reading and writing are. If that is accepted, then today’s textbooks may be inadequate. Use will have to be made of multimedia material available in plenty at low cost on the internet and elsewhere today. Teacher education as well as English language education should take care of these facts and possibilities.

to be contd...