Interpretation of “Teaching of English: A Plea for Practical Attitude”

Interpretation of “Teaching of English: A Plea for Practical Attitude” – R.K.Singh

Hello Learners,

As this blog is part of my ELT Classroom activity, all the readers are learners as well. Here are some of my interpretations on the following Research paper:

“Teaching of English: A Plea for Practical Attitude” – R.K.Singh (Indian Institute of Mines, Dhanbad)

In this research paper R.K.Singh highlights importance of English as a potential national resource in India and how a positive approach should be adopted in teaching as well as learning English language.

The title itself suggests an urgent request to adopt a positive and practical attitude towards teaching English in India.

According to him, rather than going in discussion about English as Second Language or Foreign Language, English should be accepted as a ‘Neutral Language’ in India. As it is widely preferred medium of all transactions and communication, English should have a separate identity.

He has given three aims of teaching English well:-

1.)Encourage a teaching programme that is responsive to their specific needs.

2.) Pursue such teaching activities from which pupils know they are learning something useful.

3.)Adopt a flexible learning approach.

He also focuses on some important points that should be kept in mind while teaching English:-

1.)Awareness of learner’s ability and level.

2.)Involve presenting and practising of language which help student in his real life.

3.)Make them aware of Socio-linguistic context.

4.)Give opportunities to use Language.

5.)Motivate learners.

6.)Keep in mind various approaches rather than a specific method, as approach is flexible and method is rigid.

He further also writes about learner’s responsibility. Their attitude should be positive for their learning and make it enjoyable and useful. Even a teacher should not judge the learner from his mistakes. Teacher should sit back and rethink of his methods and remember how he/she used to learn Language in their school or college time.

Thus, R.K.Singh sees English as an opportunity for the teachers and learners to grab it and make it useful.

He concludes his paper with a question we should ask to ourselves:

“WHAT to teach to WHOM and Why?????”

Comments

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Vaidehi Hariyani

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