Three Approaches to Effective English Teaching

In this short article, I will reflect on three specific approaches to teaching English language, which I have used successfully over the years (15+ years) with my students, majority of whom belong to senior secondary classes. These three approaches are - being articulate, judicious use of mother tongue and establishing a connect with the students. These approaches have worked for me as a language teacher, but they can equally serve as effective tools for any teacher teaching any other subject for that matter.

First things first, to make an impact in our class, We need to be articulate while speaking English. Being articulate does not mean being highly proficient in spoken English, though that can always be an added advantage, it is just being clear and distinct while speaking the English words, phrase and sentences. A simple sentence, spoken with clear stress, intonation and rhythm can itself work as an effective stimulus variant in an otherwise Hindi dominated classroom environment. To develop this skill of articulation, the teacher should get herself acquainted with the correct use of spoken English.

Quite fortunately, It is not difficult to avail oneself of the opportunities to listen to the correct use of spoken English. Social media, Internet, cinema and radio are some of the media which can be easily utilised to imbibe the sounds of correct spoken English. These easily available digital tools and technological innovations mediated through the use of a mobile phone can also provide vital feedback and practise opportunities for the teachers to further refine their spoken skills.

The second aspect of effective English teaching, to my mind, relates to having the skill of 'judicious use of mother tongue'. In the common Indian school setting, particularly in north India, an English teacher cannot be effective without having at least a working knowledge of Hindi. Moreover It is rare for a common Indian teacher in the northern part of the country to not be familiar with Hindi. Rather, we are faced with the problem of excessive use of Hindi. For our purpose, an English teacher can use this knowledge of Hindi to her advantage only if she is familiar with the construct of 'judicious use of mother tongue'. She can weave magic in her teaching by using selective words and sentences of Hindi to fulfil her primary task of teaching English.

Two important points should be kept in mind by the teacher in this regard. First, the use should be limited to only the conceptual and abstract part of teaching, which demands use of many difficult English words. Using words and sentences of Hindi in addition to English can facilitate smooth learning of ideas, feelings, emotions and values. 

The third element of effective English language teaching, which I want to emphasize, is to establish an emotional connect with the students. Though this is a vital construct for every teacher notwithstanding their subject to ensure effective teaching in learning, it's importance cannot be ignored in a subject that incorporates literature which in turn is full of Ideas, values, and emotions. To establish a strong connect with her learners, the teacher has to have a personality, enriched with exemplary personal attributes. 

Having such a personality is less concerned with the physical attributes of a teacher. It is more to do with the teacher being one of them, just a human being with a mix of attributes like any other person. She should strike students as an authentic self. She cannot always speak from a high moral ground. She should not desist from accepting her weaknesses, errors and mistakes. There is nothing wrong in a teacher admitting her limitations - for example the fact that she was an average student in her school life or speaking with an open heart of an occasion when she failed a particular exam in her life. This quality of speaking with an open heart works like magic. Students feel connected to a teacher who works day and night to ensure for them a safe and predictable environment for optimum learning.

As a result of their interaction with teachers armed with these approaches, students develop positive conditioning with the teacher as well as her subject. In the long run,  they develop a positive attitude towards learning which could help them navigate potential challenges and complexities of their personal and professional life.

Dr Ranveer

PGT English 

RPVV, Sec 21, Rohini