Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ENGLISH METHOD
Language is derived from the Latin word `lingua’ which means `tongue.’
1. Language is learnt
2. Language is a system
3. Language is also a system of
4. Language consists of symbols
5. Symbols of language are vocal
6. Symbols of language are Arbitrary
7. Language is culture/ society specific
8. Language is species specific
9. Language is for communication
Jennifer Coates outlined the historical range of approaches to gendered speech in her book Women,
Men and Language. She contrasts the four approaches known as the deficit, dominance, difference,
and dynamic approaches.
Deficit Approach – Chief Proponent - Robin Lakoff
Women’s language appears deficient to a man’s language. It is characterized by speaking less, use
indirect language, not use swear words etc.
Dominance Approach – Chief Proponent(s) – Dale Spender, Pamela Fishman, Don Zimmerman
and Candace West.
In mixed-sex conversations men are more likely to interrupt than women. It was later questioned,
"Why do interruptions necessarily reflect dominance? Can interruptions not arise from other
sources? Do some interruptions not reflect interest and involvement?"
Generally it can be said that men interrupt more, give direct orders, don’t mind conflict, are
interested in facts and offer more solutions while Women agree more, avoid conflicts, prefer
compromises, offer support and sympathy and want to create strong relationships.
Difference Theory – Chief proponent Deborah Tannen - You Just Don’t Understand: Women and
Men in Conversation.
The "dynamic" or "social constructionist" approach describes, the most current approach to language
and gender. Instead of speech falling into a natural gendered category, the dynamic nature and
multiple factors of an interaction help a socially appropriate gendered construct.
• Attitude-positive
• Keeping the learner in the centre and her needs
• Teaching methods should be creative so as to suit the learners
“Multicultural education incorporates the idea that all students – regardless of their gender; sexual
orientation; social class; and ethnic, racial, or cultural characteristics – should have an equal
opportunity to learn in school” -James Banks and Cherry Banks.
The Curriculum/ Contributions Approach: This approach reflects the least amount of
involvement in multicultural education approaches. This is incorporated by selecting books
and activities that celebrate holidays, heroes, and special events from various cultures.
The Additive Approach: In this approach content, concepts, themes, and perspectives are
added to the curriculum without changing its basic structure.
The Inter-group Education Approach: This approach actually changes the structure of the
curriculum and encourages students to view concepts, issues, themes, and problems from
several ethnic perspectives and points of view.
Unit 1c i) Difference between language as a school subject and as a means of learning and
communication
We use the term ‘register’ to refer to particular varieties or styles of speaking and writing a language.
Registers vary because the language is used for different purposes, in different contexts and for
different audiences.
In one prominent model, Martin Joos (1961) describes five styles in spoken English:
Frozen: Also referred to as static register. Printed unchanging language, such as Biblical quotations,
often contains archaisms. Examples are the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America and
other "static" vocalizations that are recited in a ritualistic monotone. The wording is exactly the same
every time it is spoken. Other examples would be the Indian National Pledge, the preamble, some
legal documents etc.
Intimate: Non-public; intonation more important than wording or grammar; private vocabulary.
Also includes non-verbal messages. This is most common among family members and close friends.
The three-language formula suggested by the Central Advisory Board of Education reviewed by the
chief ministers of different States in 1961and later modified by the Kothari Commission (1964–66)
seeks to accommodate, as Sridhar says, the interests of group identity (mother tongues and regional
languages), national pride and unity (Hindi), and administrative efficiency and technological
progress (English).
Mother tongue and regional language of the child may not be the same.
Thus on one hand, demand of English has increased the quality of English language education in the
state-run schools, more particularly in rural schools, presents an abysmal picture. The divide between
urban and rural is further exacerbated by the increasing tendency to use English as a medium of
instruction.
ENGLISH METHOD
Unit 2 a) Aims and objectives of teaching English at secondary and higher secondary levels
The aims of education are not achieved through the study of a subject or two or in a day or a month.
Education is a life-long process and it includes the entire spectrum of subjects taught in educational
institution through formal as well as non-formal education. The study of all the subjects contribute to
the achievement of aims of education and therefore in any scheme of teaching a subject it aims and
objectives are of prime importance.
Broadly there are two broad objectives of English teaching. They are
1. Literacy development – refer to those aims where the child is literate in English i.e has the
basic skills in comprehending, speaking, reading and writing the language.
2. Literary or Language development – where the student is taught to use the language as a
medium of thinking, of functional use and develop a love for the language.
The following are the main objectives of teaching English at secondary level.
Following are the aims and objectives of teaching English at Higher secondary level
Harold E. Palmer (1877-1949) has been identified as a leading figure in the twentieth century
history of English language teaching and is considered one of the pioneers in the development
of applied English linguistics.
The Principles of Language Study were explained by Palmer in his 1921 book by the same
name. They are as follows:
1. Imitation
2. Maxim of teaching
3. Practice and Drill
4. Oral approach
5. Selection and Grading : In the learning of a language items should be based on the
following principles:
(a) Frequency or occasionality
(b) Range or applicability
(c) Availability of teaching aids
(d) Teachability
(e) Learnability
6. Interest or Motivation:
7. Natural way of teaching a language:
8. Grouping: It means putting language items in order of their presentation. It involves
grouping and sequencing.
Grouping: This can be done in various ways.
(a) Phonetic grouping
(b) Grammatical grouping
(c) Semantic grouping
(d) Structure Grouping
Sequence : This can be of two types
a) Lexical Sequence
b) Grammatical Sequence
9. Context and Situation
10. Adoption of a Multiple-line of Approach
11. Balanced Approach:
Mnemonic – IMPOSING CAB
Knowledge is a unified whole and has been divided into various subjects according to our
convenience. One finds that no topic belongs to any one particular subject, per se and that no
subject can be taught in isolation. This mutual relationship which exists between the various
subjects is known as correlation. Teachers must strive for some degree of correlation as this
makes the teaching-learning process easier.
Types of Correlation
I. Inter (Correlation of English with Maths, Science, Geography, History, Economics
and Commerce). This is also known as External Correlation.
II. Intra (Correlation between Prose, Poetry, Grammar and Composition). This is also
known as Internal Correlation
ENGLISH METHOD
Concept
Constructivism is a view of learning based on the belief that knowledge isn't a thing that can be
simply given by the teacher at the front of the room to students in their desks. Rather, knowledge is
constructed by learners through an active, mental process of development, that is, that learners are
the builders and creators of meaning and knowledge.
Constructivism draws on the work of Piaget (1977) and Vygotsky and Bruner. Psychologists define
constructivism by reference to four principles:
4. Meaningful learning occurs through rethinking old ideas and coming to new conclusions
about new ideas which conflict with our old ideas.
The 7 Es of Constructivism
Caters to the students' prior knowledge, encourages teachers to spend more time on the
students' favourite topics and allows teachers to focus on important and relevant information.
Concept
The communicative approach is based on the idea that learning language successfully comes through
having to communicate real meaning. When learners are involved in real communication, their
natural strategies for language acquisition will be used, and this will allow them to learn to use the
language. Real communication is always informative, unpredictable and unexpected.
Vocabulary and language usage (with expressions, intonation, pauses etc.) are also
emphasised.
ENGLISH METHOD
Prose, requires various techniques and methods by which it can be taught effectively. Such
techniques help to make the learning more effective, enjoyable and help to sustain interest in
the subject matter. Some of the important techniques for teaching prose are as follows:
1. Narration } Expository
2. Dramatization } ”
3. Questioning } Interactive
4. Discussion } ”
1. Narration
Dramatization
Meaning Dramatization has been described as ‘a synthetic art’, involving the purposive
coordination- and control of the delicate organs of speech and muscles of the body
combined with a sense of rhythm, with a view to free and intelligent expression of emotions
and ideas.
Dramatic art affords innumerable opportunities for the correlation of a large number of
subjects. In the preparation of their roles, the students indirectly and unconsciously improve
their speech habits and language. A systematic study of historical events has to be made
when pageants of the life of great persons are prepared i.e. pageant
Selection of Play.
Purpose of Questioning
Classification of Questions
Questions are classified according to their purpose in the teaching-learning activity. These are:
1. Introductory Questions: These questions are asked at the beginning of a lesson and they help
to test the previous knowledge, motivate the child and link the old knowledge to the new
knowledge
2. Developmental Questions: These help to develop a particular line of thought, focues
attention on important points and lead the pupil to discover facts for themselves.
3. Recapitulatory Questions: These questions are put at the end of the lessons and helps to
teacher to know if the students have picked up what they were supposed to learn and also
acts as a revision.
4. Evaluation/ Testing Questions: These questions relate to periodic internal as well as external
testing.
Levels of Questions
The teacher’s attitude to pupils’ questions. Following points should be kept in mind:
1. Appreciate the Student’s effort even if the answer is not entirely correct
2. Analyse the wrong answers given: Sometimes, the fault could be of the teacher. This must be
accepted and proper effort has to be made.
3. Encourage the students: especially when the answers are partly right and partly wrong.
4. Treatment of Wrong Answers: The student must be made to understand what the right
answers are and also why his answer was wrong. Any doubts in the mind of the student must
be cleared.
5. Answers given in unison: This practise is not considered as a good educational practice and
must be discouraged.
6. Observation of Courtesy: Ordinary courtesy in tone and in form must be observed at all
times
7. Discourage irrelevant questions/ answers.
This method has been used in the teaching-learning process since times immemorial.
Discussion has been described as a thoughtful consideration of the relationships involved
in a topic or problem under study. It is concerned with the analysis, comparison,
evaluation- and conclusions of these relationships. It aims at uniting and integrating the
work of the class. It is carried out by organising, outlining and rating, the facts studied. It
encourages the students to direct their thinking process towards the solution of a problem
and to use their experiences for a further clarification and consolidation of learning material.
Discussion is to be distinguished from debate in which the participants seek to prove a point
rather than to discover a truth. Discussion is very important in stimulating mental activity,
developing fluency and ease in expression, clarity of ideas in thinking arid training in the
presentation of one’s ideas and facts. An exchange of ideas and opinions offers valuable
training to students in reflective thinking.
Limitations of discussion:
ENGLISH METHOD
A library is a collection of sources, resources, and services, and the structure in which it is
housed; it is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, or a private
individual. In the more traditional sense, a library is a collection of books. It can mean the
collection itself, the building or room that houses such a collection, or both. The term
"library" has itself acquired a secondary meaning: "a collection of useful material for
common use."
The library is the ‘hub’ of the academic life of the school. In the words of Edmonson, “The
modern school library is conceived as a genuine service unit. It supplies materials for
developing and expanding interests. Through its reference tools, indexes, bibliographies and
catalogues, the realm of knowledge may be explored. The library co-operates with other
agencies of instruction in helping students learn to use books and libraries, to find
information, and to study. By its bulletin exhibits, posters and atmosphere, the library
teaches informally. By its introduction to books, it suggests the life-time use of reading to
further any interest.”
The functions of the school library may be summed up in words of the Joint Committee, of
the School Library Association Britain, “We seek in the library to make children familiar
with the sight and use of a collection of books and to help them to grow love and care for
them, to provide material for child’s own recreation, reading and explorations, to supply
additional reading mate illustrating the subjects taught in class,
1. The librarian should give thorough instructions to the students in not only how to
find out books and other material in the library but also how to make the best use of
the material which the library contains.
2. The teachers should give occasional talks to pupils on the importance of extra-
reading. -
3. As far as possible the open shelf system should be introduced so that the students
may have free access to books.
4. Students should be asked to maintain a diary in which they should enter date-wise
the names of all the books they have read. - They may also be asked to write brief
quotations or extracts from the books that may appeal to them. They may also write
short reviews and appreciation of these books.
5. Marks may be allotted for extra-reading and entered in the monthly progress report.
6. Library periods should be provided for each class in the timetable.
7. Book competitions should be arranged from time to time and questions on titles,
authors and subject-matter may be set.
8. The library should be made the most attractive place in the school so that it may
attract the students in large numbers.
9. The cooperation of the students should be sought in decorating the library in order to
give them the feeling that the library belongs h them.
10. The librarian should behave very sympathetically with the students.
11. The school library should be kept open during the vacation and long holidays.
12. The beautiful picture-cuttings from newspapers and illustrations from current events
and topics should be displayed on the library Bulletin Boards.
13. Books suiting different tastes and interests should be provided in large numbers.
14. The furniture should suit the needs of the students.
15. A catalogue of library books should be available in the library for ready reference.
16. Library day may be organised once a year to popularise the school library.
We may sum up the discussion with a quotation from Tagore, “In order- to bring a library
into the fullest use, it is necessary that its contents should be clearly and specifically brought
to notice, otherwise it is difficult for the ordinary man to find his way about them, and the
library is left as a city of vast accommodation that lacks sufficient means of communication”
BLOGS
A blog (a contraction of the words web log) is a discussion or informational site published
on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in
reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). Until 2009 blogs were
usually the work of a single individual, occasionally of a small group, and often covered a
single subject. More recently "multi-author blogs" (MABs) have developed, with posts
written by large numbers of authors and professionally edited. MABs from newspapers,
other media outlets, universities, think tanks, interest groups and similar institutions account
for an increasing quantity of blog traffic.
A blog is recognized by its regularly updated, time and date stamped posts, running down
the computer screen in chronologically reverse order (i.e. the most recent post comes first).
Crucially, there is an ‘Add Comment’ feature so that readers of posts can leave their
opinions, questions or thoughts. Finally, there is a writing style element: blogs are written by
one individual who gives his or her thoughts in a generally relaxed, ‘spoken’ style
It can be likened to a journal which can be a continually updated and grows over time with
the accumulation of writing and other content. This archived information is accessed using a
simple calendar that highlights the dates on which entries were made.
Types of Blogs
Blogs can be personal (owned and managed by a single person), a group blog (managed by
many people), a micro blog (where a limited content can be sent at a time) or can even be
categorized as per the genre on which the blog takes place. A teacher can use any of these
types to enhance the teaching and learning of English.
The teacher can start a personal blog and have her students comment on the posts.
She can also encourage the students to start their own personal blogs which can then
be monitored.
The class can be encouraged to start a group blog which can be a collaborative affair.
Students can be exposed to expert bloggers or blogs which they can personally
follow.
E-BOOKS
To read an e-book requires a dedicated e-book reader which are readily and freely available
on computers, tablets and smartphones. Most e-books use the format of EPUB which is an
open ,common format for the publishing of e-books worldwide.
There are many free e-books available in the public domain and sites such as Gutenberg
orManyBooks are common places to download free e-books from. Paid sites such as
Amazon or Flipkart (flyte) are also popular.
E-books incorporate features such as highlights, note-taking, dictionary etc which are very
useful for students to read books.
Concept
Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is "the search for and study of applications of
the computer in language teaching and learning". CALL embraces a wide range of ICT
applications and approaches to teaching and learning foreign languages, from the
traditional” drill-and-practice programs that characterised CALL in the 1960s and 1970s to
more recent manifestations of CALL, e.g. as used in a virtual learning environment and
Web-based distance learning.
The current philosophy of CALL puts a strong emphasis on student-centred materials that
allow learners to work on their own. CALL is essentially a tool that helps teachers to
facilitate the language learning process. It can be used to reinforce what has been already
Teachers using computer labs are often assigned a specific day and timethat their class will
use the lab, regardless of whether it fits into theteachers’ current learning plan. Admittedly,
administrators have a duty tomake sure that resources are distributed fairly and that they are
used asmuch as possible, but they are often less concerned with how well thetechnology
supports learning. Rather than designing instruction to usethe technology and to learn
technology skills (a technocentric approach),the technology use must be subordinated to the
learning goals. In otherwords, teachers should not use the computer simply for its own sake.
Because learners are individuals, CALL activities should address morethan one type of
intelligence and more than one style of learning (seeGardner, 1993; Reid, 1997). The
technology should be used to addressthe learners’ needs and be useful for a variety of
instructional purposes.For example, some students prefer visual activities and others prefer
verbal ones; hence, technology that allows learners to choose whetherinformation is
presented through pictures or written text would meetmore students’ needs than technology
that does not offer learners achoice.
Computers are often said to play at least three roles in the classroom:tutor, teacher, and tool
(Levy, 1997). The computer as tutor presentsdrills and practice, usually with some
explanatory rules. This role is usefulin some cases because remediation and more practice
have been shown toimprove some students’ proficiency. However, drill and practice alone
hasnot been shown to increase language learning. The computer cannotactually serve as a
teacher, either, because it is not intelligent or capableof individualized, creative feedback.
Turing (1950) suggested that acomputer could be deemed intelligent if it could fool someone
intothinking that a person rather than a machine were responding when it isasked questions.
(This is known as the Turing test; technology that passes this test is not yet available in
schools.) The most useful way to look at
technology is as a tool that supports learning in a wide variety of ways.
Effective means that students learn language better or faster using thetechnology than they
would have using the tools that would ordinarily beavailable. Even in the mundane area of
grammar drills, for example, theclassroom teacher can provide a limited amount of feedback
to eachlearner because only one student at a time can answer a grammar practiceexercise
and receive the teacher’s assessment. By using a grammar softwarepackage in the computer
Efficient indicates that technology accomplishes learning goals with lesstime and work for
teachers and learners. For example, a listeningprogram on a computer can instantly replay a
passage while an oldertechnology, such as the audio tape, may waste the students’ time
because
it requires rewinding and hunting for the right segment many times.
Merits/ Advantages
1. Students can work at their own pace.
2. Individual attention can be given to each student.
3. It caters to different learning styles
4. It is very effective for drill and practice
5. It is effective for diagnosis and remedial teaching
6. It is psychologically sound as feedback is immediate
7. Very small units of learning can be taken up.
Demerits/ Disadvantages
1. Interaction with other students and teacher may reduce.
2. All questions may not be answered
3. Real time talking and listening is limited
4. It can be expensive and requires computer literacy/ proficiency