The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Teachers meet to hone students' English skills

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Teachers meet to hone students' English skills

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, DEC. 23. Several teachers of English language, who gathered to share their experiences at a workshop on "Functional English" organised by the ICFAI National College here on Thursday, ended up searching for a practical solution for improving communication skills of college students.

Skills in spoken and written English had become a prerequisite for students in this highly competitive atmosphere, but to make them "open up" was not easy, they felt.

Confidence is the key

Bhanu Suresh, a faculty member at ICFAI, narrated how she handled a student coming from a rural background. "In the beginning, the student was reluctant even to speak one English word. He started opening up after my assurances. He learnt two to three words per day. Now, he is doing well," Bhanu said.

Over 60 teachers from different colleges participated in the programme. They were vocal on one point -- that weightage should be given to English language on par with science subjects.

Padmaja, a faculty member at the Nalanda Degree College, said much importance was attached to language skills during interviews and group discussions. "If students neglect English, they do it at their own peril. Due weightage must be given to the language at all levels. It should be made mandatory even at post-graduate level," she added.

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