Reflections on My Article Presentation

REFLECTIONS ON MY ARTICLE PRESENTATION 

The time was nearing four

And I was in tension sitting before

My laptop with the task in store

And I was truly in a dilemma

As how to present it without a drama

As my network was in glitches.

It made my speech be heard in bits and pieces

The techno - bug bit me

And my ears rang with the echo of my words

I could not utter a phrase with peace or ease

Without the continuous echo of my voice

Stopping my spontaneous flow of the words of my choice

There was nothing wonderful to display

And looked like I would stammer straight away

I switched on the camera for the show

But the video revolted and gave me a blow

Thanks to technology my speech was low.

It was fortunate that our moderator was kind

To praise me with all the words so refined.

Embarrassing myself before all

Oh this is how it felt when the mighty fall.

 

Article Presentation

The activity assigned to us on 02.0802021 was Article Presentation. Dr.Uzma Raheel was the moderator. She gave the participants three minutes to present the article.

The topic I selected was Coping With Covid 19 based Disruptions in Educational Institutions by Dr. C Praveen. The article is from the journal ELT@I Journal of English Language Teaching. The author reviews the current educational scene (Covid 19 pandemic) which affects institutional leaders, teachers and students. He proposes ways of overcoming the current unprecedented state of affairs. He proceeds to answers the questions : What are the problems that have to be overcome? How can institutional leaders address the issues? He continues to show the effect of the pandemic on Institutional leaders, teachers, learners and Home schools. The only alternative the author puts forth is Online Teaching. The time has come to alter the current pedagogical methods and integrate classroom learning with e-learning modes. He hastens to add the advantages of Online Learning from an ELT Perspective as it provides scope for polishing the ability to communicate and makes the possibility of recording the online discussions and in documenting them for future reference and pedagogic purposes. Pedagogic Challenges for Online Instruction for institutions, teachers and learners are dealt with in a very practical manner. The author gives some suggestions to overcome those challenges through 'Best Practices'. Course Arc, a leading digital content authoring and management tool producer gives some suggestions for online course design, online teaching for teachers and online learning for learners. Canvas, a leading provider of online courses lists some best practices for students taking online courses. Then the author proposes the action plan. Jisc, the London based agency provides some valuable tips to teach online. The author concludes the article with the affirmation that all planning can succeed only through continuous review and monitoring. Some useful web tools for speaking skills like Podomatic, Spreaker, Audio boom are also suggested at the end of the article. The link for the article is given below.

http://eltai.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ELTAI-JULY-AUGUST-2020-ISSUE-1-1.pdf

In the present scenario of online classes, I found this article a blessing. So I chose this for my article presentation. The presentation of the author about the new normal mode, its effects, the suggestions to overcome, some solutions and tips are very useful. I agree to the views of the author and will try to implement at least a few steps and suggestions prescribed in the article to make my online teaching effective and student friendly.

Speaking Activity

 Speaking Activity

The impromptu speech activity conducted on 26.07.2021 was the first face to face activity given to the participants by RIESI. There was excitement in the air over the first activity given. Even though having previous experience of extempore speaking, I was a bundle of nerves. Amidst the long trail of topics, I was given the topic The Most Embarrassing Moment in Your Life. I was on pins and needles when I started my speech. But as I began my narration of the moment, I was caught by the memories and felt my anxiety melt away.

Dr.Hithesh was the moderator for us. What a multi talented personality! He is one of the very few erudite scholars I have come across. A beacon of wisdom and knowledge, he is one of the gems of RIESI. The qualities of a moderator was etched in his personality.

When the speakers introduced themselves, sir greeted them in their respective mother tongues and inquired about their places. He even said a word or two about the speaker's native place. He did this to every speaker to break the ice and make them feel at ease.

I come from Tirunelveli @ Nellai which is famous for halwa. Sir pointed out the specialty of my place and its nickname as well. I was astonished by his profound knowledge of places in South India. As a moderator, he was gentle, kind and understanding. He was very patient and prompt.

All the participants in Group 2 came out with their best. I jotted down some points from the speeches delivered. All the speeches were unique in their own way. The task made me reassess my priorities as an English teacher. Reading English newspapers, listening to native speakers will add to the spontaneity of my thoughts and eloquence. In spite of the technical disturbances, all the trainees were able to complete the task, thanks to Hithesh sir's ever smiling and encouraging face. Kudos to all the participants.

There were some suggestions and feedback given by Dr. Hithesh.

• The speech should be prepared in such a way that there should be some takeaways.

• The speech should be precise and specific.

Totally it was an enriching experience for all the participants. Thank you RIESI for the wonderful opportunity.

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

- ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

Why I Joined REISI CELT Course

 

Why I Joined REISI CELT Course

Heard a lot about the RIESI course and always wanted to be a part of this prestigious programme which has made a bench mark in the development of English language teaching. Even after 14 years of service as an English teacher, I never got an opportunity. The experiences I had with many teachers, educationalists, directors and especially with Mr. Udayachandran IAS, during text book writing made me feel handicapped and lack something in my professional development. I applied to the SCERT last year too. I was not selected. But this year when I was informed about my name in the CELT training, I was overwhelmed with joy and heartfelt gratitude to all the persons concerned who made me realise my dream. Yet I sincerely miss the face to face interaction with all the faculties from different states. The knowledge sharing by all the participants from different parts of south India is the only thing that lacks in the new normal mode. In this god sent opportunity, I want to hone my professional skills. I want to upgrade myself in English language and pedagogy. I wish to develop my profession and whet the communicative and all the other skills that are lying dormant in me. Still could not believe that I am a participant. Feeling very blessed to be a part of the online CELT for High School July 2021.

Learning is the true imperishable wealth.

- Thiruvalluvar

REFLECTIONS ON MY SPEAKING ACTIVITY

 

REFLECTIONS ON MY SPEAKING ACTIVITY

The questions given for us to reflect on our speaking activity made us ponder over our performance with a critical eye. Those reflective was? were? what? how? posted by our course co-ordinator Dr.Ravinarayanan helped us a lot in evaluating and revamping ourselves.

1. Was it a useful task?

2. Were you able to speak confidently? Were you able to use the platform effectively?(turn on audio, video, etc.,)

3. What are some of the areas for improvement in your speaking? What are your action plans for developing your speaking skill?

4. How do you want your students to enhance their speaking skills?

The speaking task given to the participants on 26.07.2021 was a very useful and fruitful activity. I was able to speak confidently. I was able to use the platform effectively. But I need to include many phrases and idioms in my speech. Action plan to improve my speaking is regular newspaper reading, listening to native speakers and BBC news. I want my students to read English newspapers regularly and listen to English news to enhance their speaking. I must create an English environment for them.

About Myself

 About Myself

Hai all. I am Mrs. T. Lourds Anita from Tamil Nadu. Let me introduce myself with some of my experiences I had at the beginning of my teaching career.

With lofty aims and high ambition I entered my service as an English teacher in a government school. Posh English ruled my teaching on the first day. The next day I recognised the empty stares of my students. Only then I realised that I had not understood the mindset of the students. A whole new world opened in front of me. From that day my journey as an English teacher began. The students I worked with are from rural background. So I wanted to give the world to them. I wanted my students to love their English classes and eagerly expect it the next day. I started preparing my classes in such a way that they are always filled with discussions and arguments, competitions and activities. My classes are usually noisy.

What I consider my best achievement in my career is the day when my student said, "I want to be like my English teacher." I was overwhelmed with emotion when he said this in the morning prayer. Even today many of my old students have saved my name as Anita ma.

My journey continued as Key Resource Person for Hitech Labs and resource persons for various trainings and workshops. In all the inservice trainings, I have shared my views about the ground realities of our classroom situations so that we can adapt our teaching methods accordingly.

Reading being my favourite hobby, I used to bring colourful books and English newspapers to the classroom and make my children read. I give pocket dictionaries to the students who are interested. I donate books to the school library regularly.

I enlisted myself for the text book writing work knowing that it will be a milestone in my career and sure it was . Nearly ten months of work as an author helped me to rethink my priorities and efficacy as a teacher. Textbook writing was also a very good platform for me to understand, suggest and work towards framing better text books keeping in mind the needs of the students.

Presently I am working as a graduate teacher in English in Government Higher Secondary School, Moolaikaraipatti, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

I conclude with Robert Frost's lines:

I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep.

FLIP BOOK

Flip Book, a new teaching tool I have come to know through CELT. A fun and innovative move in my career.  

My first flip book - Enjoy. Hope to post many more in the days to come.

The Story of Mulan

https://www.flipbookpdf.net/web/site/29484dcf0b1b2879aa7ee7b5cc93d70877790774202107.pdf.html