INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

23rd Feb, 2017

A Two-Day International Workshop on “Integrating Technology in ESL Classroom (ITESL)” was conducted in Paavai Engineering College on 20th and 21st February 2017 in association with Anna University, Chennai. Shrimathi.Mangai Natarajan, Correspondent, Paavai Institutions, presided over the inauguration. In her presidential address, she insisted that a teacher should develop himself/herself in having an in-depth knowledge in English. She also said Paavai Engineering College is equipped with an excellent language lab to enhance students’ English language skills.

Ms.Julie A.Kalsow, English Language Fellow – India, Dr.Deepa Mary Francis, Anna University, Chennai, and Dr.R.Kasthuri Bai, Dean – Faculty Development, were the resource persons of the workshop. Ms. Julie, in her session, said how English is learnt as a second language in many foreign countries. She is guiding students from many countries using English as a second language to improve their reading and writing skills. Dr.Deepa Mary Francis explained the essentiality of reading and the nuances involved in reading. While reading, the steps involved are (i)‘pre-reading’ that prepares the student’s mind for reading, (ii)‘while reading’ that enables the student to understand the text and (iii)‘post-reading’ that involves student’s activity and outcome of reading. She also instructed that students must be made to realise why reading skill is important.

On Day 2, Dr.R.Kasthuri Bai said any language cannot be taught but it has to be caught. She also said that English is a service language and it can be taught in the form of ideas and instructions. She explained how teachers should use technology in their teaching. Technology is a tool to enhance learning and now it is used as a ‘transformational agent’; it transforms the teachers/learners from ignorance to light. In this era, using technology is indispensable. In the afternoon session, Ms.Julie involved all the participants in creating their own page for PB Works, that is, Peanut Butter Works. This page connects teachers to each other by uploading teaching materials. This helps the learners to have an easy access to the materials. Dr.R.Shanthi, Head of the Department of English, was the convener of this International Workshop. Prof.R.Chenniappan, Dean – English, Paavai Institutions, thanked the resource persons and all the participants. At the end of the second day, certificates were issued to the participants of this workshop.