Date:25/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082519070200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Seminar on English in September

Staff Reporter

It will focus on ways to overcome challenges faced by English teachers

Issues of curriculum designing, evaluation of teaching methods will be looked into

`Students need to be trained on the correct use of the language'

Bangalore: "Who owns English?" College teachers of English have the opportunity to attend a national seminar in Bangalore which explores this question in depth, at the RBANM's High School on September 11 and 12.

A recent study says that while there are currently 350 million native users of English, the number of non-native English users worldwide is around 750 million. This globalisation of English has produced inevitable variances in its usage according to social, cultural and geographical factors.

Shanthi Varadarajan, convenor and Head of Department of English at RBANM College said: "In India, it is not only the mother tongue that is important, but also English. We need to train our students on the correct usage." The conference, which is supported by Bangalore University, will focus on the current challenges faced by English teachers and make an attempt to overcome them.

Sub-themes

The issues of curriculum designing, methodological approaches and evaluation of teaching methods will also be important sub-themes.

RBANM is expecting 150 teacher-delegates from around the country. Transport and accommodation will be provided for all guests.

Interested participants can obtain registration forms from RBANM's First Grade College, Bangalore - 42, or contact Dr. Varadarajan on 98800 40850 or principal B.S. Srikanta on 98441 43944. Filled-up forms should be submitted to the same address by August 31.