One of our dreams, as teacher educators, has been to work towards eliminating the gap that exists between academicians on one hand and teachers on the other. Academicians read, write, theorize, and research while teachers teach.
In a small way, this dream was realized when our work with the English teachers from Government and Government Aided Schools in Thrissur district of Kerala, in collaboration with District Centre for English, culminated in the publication of the 'District Centre for English Journal'. The issue, titled 'Enabling English Language Acquisition: Tales from Thrissur' contains twelve papers, each written by a teacher, combining their practice (innovation in English pedagogy) with existing academic understanding and literature. Each paper is on a different aspect of ELT (English Language Teaching) and hence each is a unique contribution to strengthening the connection between theory and practice of ELT.
Integrating the digital
The writing project was significantly aided by a careful integration of digital technologies. Firstly, teachers accessed articles and papers on the web on the issue they were writing on, to broaden and deepen their own understanding and connect their findings and innovations with those in the larger academic space. They used a digital mind mapping tool (Free and Open-Source app called Freeplane) to create a visual map of their article. On the map, they could sequence, re-sequence their ideas, and organize, re-organize these iteratively till they were satisfied. This 'visual map' was then easily converted to a text document using the feature of the tool and enriched to create the final version of the paper.
The papers and their authors (May their tribe increase) are:
- Enhancing English Language Proficiency in Primary School Children through Integrating Dance, Acting, and Games - Anila R, GUPS Parlikad
- Theatrical Pedagogy: Fostering Learning through Acting in the English Classroom, Elizabeth Poulose, UPST, St Pius Xth UPS Wadakkanchery
- E-LIFE: Cultivating English Fluency in Primary Students - Shibu E P, GWUPS Ponnore
- Enhancing Learners' Writing Skills at the Primary Level, through Picture Description - Kulirma Beevi, LPST, SPKCMM GUPS Madayikonam
- From Emojis to Discourses - Bindu K, LPSA RSLPS Enkakkad
- Innovative Methods and Strategies for English Language Teaching: Models and Classroom Experiences - Remya Gopal, National HSS Irinjalakuda
- Importance of Developing Local Texts to Augment Textbooks - Arathy K R, LPST, GHSS Villadam
- Percipience Procedure: Fostering Comprehensive Learning through Active Engagement - Sajitha Joseph, HSA English, OLFGHS Mathilakam
- Fun Learning through Word Games: An Effective Tool for Improving Vocabulary - Meenu Krishnan, NHSS Irinjalakuda
- Exploring the Efficacy of Mediation Strategies on ESL Classroom Dynamics: A Research Study - Sandhya P U, HST English, Govt National Boys High School, Kodakara
- Enhancing English Oral Proficiency of Secondary School Learners in Rural Kerala, Enhancing Global Citizenship Possibilities - Meenu Vincent, HST English, St Thomas HSS, Engandiyur
- Animating Learning: Exploring Role of Puppetry in the English Classroom - Aswathi Mohanan, UPST, NUPS Koratty
As these papers emerge from practice, questions of 'is it practical/ doable' could seem less daunting!
We will continue our work of supporting teachers in their journeys' of professional development, of strengthening their agency, including as academicians.
The Hindu carried our article on this project.