English Language Teachers'Association of India

Thiruvarur Chapter – Inaugural, August 12, 2019

REPORT OF ELTAI’S THIRUVARUR CHAPTER CUM WORKSHOP ON “ENGAGING LEARNERS AS READERS”

Inauguration

The inaugural function of ELTAI’s ‘Thiruvarur Chapter” cum a one- day workshop on “Engaging Learners as Readers” was held on 12^th August 2019 at Bon Secours Arts College for Women at Mannargudi, Thiruvarur District. Sr. Victoria, Principal, Bon Secours Arts College for Women, Mannargudi presided over the function and Dr. M.S.XavierPradheep Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Engligh St. Joseph’s (Autonomous) College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu inaugurated the ‘Thiruvarur Chapter’ as the guest of honour and oriented the participants on the core aspects of the workshop.

The august event began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by all the dignitaries. While the convener Mr. Soosai Rathinam, welcomed the gathering, also elucidated the aims and objectives of the chapter and the workshop.In her presidential address, Sr. Victoria, emphasized the importance of English citing the term ‘illiterates’ in modern times refers to those who don’t know both English and basic skills in communication technology. She wanted the English educators develop themselves in all possible ways appropriately.

Dr. Xavier Pradheep Singh in his inaugural speech highlighted that “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success”. He felt that the chapter had already started working together for a common cause in the field of English Language Teaching and wished for a great progress.

Workshop

With zeal and enthusiasm, Dr. Xavier Pradheep Singh handled his session by brainstorming what is reading and the five essential components of reading with examples. The participants were given a handout to transcribe Chinese alphabet into English and were introduced to the “Pre reading, during reading and Post reading” strategies.  Pre-reading strategies like KWL charts, Word Splash were dealt with activities based on a simple text on ‘Marina Beach’.

Graphic organizers- Venn Diagram, Cluster Word Tree Diagram, Hierarchy Chart, Story Board, Story Map etc. were some of the while reading strategies dealt by the Resource Person with a lot of examples. Activities on how an unfamiliar vocabulary can be taught through vocabulary flashcards, leaning through the contextual clues, types of contextual clues etc.,

Conclusion

The workshop concluded after Post reading strategies like ‘Reader’s Bookmark’, ‘Four Column Chart’ which were taught to the participants through various activities.

When the participants were asked to record their feedbacks, Mr. Sivachidambaram, Ms. Arokiya Ms. Mary, Ms. Gowri, Mr. Prabhabakaran, Ms. Sheen and all other English teachers came forward to provide their opinion. One of the teachers mentioned that he had never attended a workshop of this nature in his entire professional life. The convener Mr. Soosai Rathinam thanked Mr. Sivabalan and Mr. Immanuel as well as others for their active participation in organizing the workshop and all departed subsequently after the National Anthem at 4 pm.