’ELC’ Volunteers’ English project by story reading to help children

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 14, 2014:  The members of Early Learning Centre, a small community in City and St Agnes Centre for PostGraduate studies and research, Mangaluru, have come up with an innovative thinking of teaching English to the government schoolchildren using volunteers who have done PG in English, without taking any help from the government.

Addressing a press meet on November 13,Thursday, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Tulasi Maddineni said that many times government schoolchildren rarely get opportunity to hear and read English. ELC-Early Learning Centre and St Agnes Centre for Post-Graduate studies and research have come forward with the idea of teaching English to government schoolchildren of Class I to X through volunteer teachers.

Six schools :   Last month  ten Govt. School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) were told of the proposal.   Gandhi Nagar, Mannagudda, Kodikal, Marakkada, Kavoor and Surathkal schools have showed interest.  Till date, 40 volunteers have registered their names and their background will be checked by ELC. We are planning to commence classes from December 1. If it succeeds more schools would show interest towards it.

Fun and learning :  A student  may have to pay Rs 750 per year, but that sum is also used to buy story books and CDs.

A unique point about this teaching method  is that it has nothing to do with textbooks. Volunteers just read stories for students and involve them in some games and activities with lot of fun. Every class will be of one hour duration and in a week, three to four such classes can be held. Students of government schools are brilliant, but you have to guide them. This will help to  learn and develop fluency in English.

ELC Co-ordinator Sonia Moras said that the government has consented the volunteer teachers to teach children from 4 pm to 5 pm. The government will give completion certificate to volunteers who successfully complete one year of teaching. They will also get appreciation certificate from ELC, she said. Interested may visit http://elcindia.org for more information or can contact: 9901115108 or 9900415934. e-mail- teachers@elcindia.org. the project is set to have good results for govt school children.