Date:20/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/20/stories/2006092019130400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

English teachers get a look at cutting edge research

Staff Reporter

``In language learning, meaning is prioritised over structure''

CHENNAI : Teachers of English from the city were acquainted with recent research in language learning on Monday.

The British Council and Cambridge ESOL Examinations organised a seminar and workshop to discuss the importance of replacing outdated methods of teaching and assessment.

Mary Spratt, freelance English language teaching consultant, trainer and author, said research has shown that many students of English medium schools, who are not native speakers of the language, have an almost native proficiency in `acquiring skills' of reading and listening. Their capacity to produce or write and speak did not have the same proficiency.

Ms. Spratt conducted a workshop for teachers in the morning and held a seminar for heads of institutions and teacher training colleges in the evening. She is touring selected cities in the country to introduce the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT), launched by the Cambridge ESOL Examinations and the British Council.

The TKT is intended for teachers and provides evaluation of such aspects as lesson planning and managing the teaching and learning process.

More information about the TKT is available at www.britishcouncil.org.in or can be had from chennai.exams@in.britishcouncil. org