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?????”
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