Celebrating English

AS WE stand on the threshold of the new millennium, we are aware of the fact that the world has become a global village. With the advent of computers in all fields, English has become indispensable. English is the inevitable tool for communication as it is the language of the computer.

Keeping this in mind, P. K. R. Arts College for Women, Gobichettipalayam, took an innovative step and organised the `Millennium English Fair', between Jan. 19 to 24. The aim was to motivate the students to realise the importance of English in science and technology, commerce and computers, besides its communicative function and literary value.

The fair was inaugurated by Dr. Ilango, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathiar University. He stressed the importance of language for a successful living and felt that in a multi-lingual country like ours, more than one language is essential to communicate. He emphasised the idea of a three language formula in the educational system, the languages being English, Hindi and the regional language.

Teachers had to make the classes interactive and adopt a teaching methodology that could ensure maximum student participation. Over 3,000 students and 100 staff members from various schools and colleges visited the exhibition and there was a good response from the public also.

A souvenir was released on the occasion by the Vice-Chancellor, and Prof. Silambannan, former Registrar of Bharathiar University received the first copy.

The exhibition highlighted the significance of English in arts, science, Information technology, commerce and business. The pavilions included the Origin and evolution of communication, British literature, Shakespeare, Indian writing, Learning activities, Learning English through science, English in daily life, English and Tamil - an interface, Language games, Effective communication through English, English in the world of advertisement and interview techniques.

A one-day orientation programme for school teachers on `Classroom effectiveness' was conducted on Jan. 24. Dr. Ramani, professor, Department of English, P. S. G. College of Arts and Science and Mr. Periyasamy, retired Senior Lecturer, DIET, Perundurai, were the resource persons.

Dr. K. P. Kandaswamy, Registrar, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, in his valedictory address appreciated the students for their wonderful display of talent and opined that such exhibitions will bring to light dormant talents of the students.

The fair had two sections, one relating to English literature and language and the other depicting the indispensability of English.

The pavilions on literature gave a glimpse of the various aspects of literature from the Shakespearean theatre to Malgudi village.

One could experience the richness of English literature from its origin and growth to its present day writers. The stall on British literature took one to British life and its people like the life of a solitary reaper in the field or the famous St.Peters church where the murder of a priest was committed.

Shakespeare's corner rediscovered the resume of Shakespeare to his four periods of greatly performed plays. Shakespearean Age came to life there. Malgudi village of R. K. Narayan's imagination, came to life in the stall of Indo-English literature. The stalls on English language were fun packed - making one realise that one can learn a language and still enjoy the experience. Learning activities and language games were set in an interactive mode to associate the students in the lighter way.

The stalls on science and regional languages and on English and its usage in daily life brought out the essential need of the language as an interface.

The pavilion on computers gave the visitors a glimpse into the use of computers in English language teaching, besides providing a lot of fun. There was also a book exhibition in which many leading publishers participated.

The exhibition reinforced that English is inevitable in various fields. It also tried to acquaint the participants with the growth and development of the English through the ages, and to create an awareness of the relevance of English in other fields.

V. JAYASREE

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