English Language Teachers'Association of India

Pune Chapter Inauguration – February 9, 2019

ELT@I Pune Chapter Inaugurated

The English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELT@I), an associate of IATEFL, UK , the largest network of English teachers in India was founded on August 7, 1974 by Late Padmashri S. Natarajan, a noted educationist. ELT@I has around 50 chapters in different states of India.

ELT@I Pune Chapter was a long cherished dream for the teachers of English in and around Pune. A few teachers of English took an initiative to establish the ELT@I Pune chapter for which more than 90 English teachers not only from Pune but also from other parts of Maharashtra, and from Kashmir, Telangana, and Gujrat have registered. The ELT@I Pune Chapter was formally inaugurated on Saturday, February 9, 2019 during the valedictory function of the 9th national seminar at English Language Teaching Institute of Symbiosis, which is a department of Symbiosis International (Deemed University). The inaugural function was graced by the presence of Dr. J. Mangayarkarasi, Co-ordinator, ELT@I (India) and Dr. Ramkishan Bhise, Joint-Secretary, ELT@I (India). Professor Shridhar Gokhale and Professor Prashant Sinha are Patrons of the Chapter.

Professor Z. N. Patil, a well-known figure in the field of English language teaching, who retired as a Professor of English and Head of the Department of Training and Development is the President of the chapter. The other office bearers are Dr. Atul Patil (Vice-President), an Assistant Professor at the College of Engineering, Pune, Mr. Rahul Kale (Executive Secretary), an Assistant Professor at Tolani Maritime Institute, Dr. Leena Jadhav (Executive Joint-Secretary), an Assistant Professor at the College of Engineering Pune, Mr. Swapnil Shirsath (Executive Treasurer), an Assistant Professor at MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune. The chapter also has two teachers each for the seven Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

During its inauguration, the Pune Chapter announced four major objectives set for itself. These objectives are

• Reaching the unreached which means conducting events in regional language medium schools, Ashram schools located in remote, mountainous, rural and tribal areas.
• Collaborating with the two chapters in Maharashtra
• Encouraging and helping teachers in other districts to set up their own chapters, and
• Compiling a grammar of Indian English

On the very second day of its existence, the President of Pune Chapter, Professor Z. N. Patil, conducted a half a day workshop on ‘Language Skills’ for the first year B.A. students coming from rural background. The workshop was conducted on the premises of Pratap Philosophy Centre, which is one of the two Philosophy Centres in the country. The participants were students from different colleges in the region.

The first meeting of the chapter was conducted on Saturday, February 24, 2019 on the premises of College of Engineering Pune. The members came up with a tentative annual schedule of activities. The chapter reiterated its commitment to work for and with teachers and students in regional language medium schools, semi-English medium schools located in villages and small towns. The chapter also decided to conduct workshops for the private sector with a view to generating its own funds.

Contact:
Prof. Rahul Kale,
Executive Secretary, ELT@I Pune Chapter,
Email: eltaipunechapter@gmail.com,
Cell: 8390949967.