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Some useful books:

“Grammar Games”, “Humanising your course book” and “Dictation”

by Mario Rinvolucri.

“Grammar Practice Activities”

by Penny Ur.

Some useful websites:

www.hltmag.co.uk

www.teachingenglish.org.uk

www.factmonster.com

Relevant teaching:Ms. Judith Baker of the Pilgirms, U.K., addressing the teachers at the workshop organised by Orient Longman.

The most important investment that a school management can make in its school is to ensure that teachers continue to learn. Having understood the importance of professional development of teachers, Orient Longman, organised a two-day workshop and training programme for senior teachers of English language. It was organised as part of Orient Longman’s sixtieth year celebrations recently in Chennai. The resource person for this programme was renowned teacher trainer Ms. Judith Baker, from Pilgrims, United Kingdom, an organisation that has three decades of experience in teacher development and, well-known world-wide. The workshop focussed on NLP for teachers, humanising large classes, putting glamour into grammar and also certain long-term strategies for managing motivation of the teachers and also creative methodology for the classroom.

Ms. Baker who during the workshop, focussed on English Language Teaching for Indian teachers, is of the opinion that in India, the teachers were looked upon by their students as the complete authority on a subject. But now, the perception is changing. In today’s IT era, students have varied sources to procure information on a subject.

Therefore teachers have to upgrade themselves by attending professional development training and workshop that may enhance their knowledge and their teaching methodology.

Teachers have to change with the times. Also, teachers should teach the children in their class and not just give them information. And in doing this, the size of the classroom , should not deter them from communicating to the entire class. “In a classroom, students must be made to feel comfortable. Classroom interaction, team work and group activity can enhance language learning. Students must be encouraged to talk about their own experience also,” Ms. Baker says.

“I observe that English language teachers in India have a deeper understanding of English and they simply love the language.”

Ms. Baker gives the following tips for teachers:

• Understand the fact that learners are the best resource for the teachers

• Give importance to group work and classroom interaction

• Use materials that the students can relate to. Only then will it be relevant and meaningful to the class.

• While teaching grammar, do not give the rules first and ask the students to write sentences using that rule. Instead make it vice versa.

Ms. Baker who has co-authored some books on NLP, says that it is vital to manage the motivation of the teachers. “Self-awareness is important for teachers to keep their motivation level high. Attending programmes and professional development training relevant to them is one way of keeping their motivation levels up.”

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