The process of learning becomes effective only when it is an enjoyable exercise. But, can language learning be made creative, informal and enjoyable?
The combined efforts of the Promise Foundation and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) has indeed made this possible through a unique project called 'Chilipili Cheela'. Devised by the Language Development Programme teams of both the organisations, Chilipili Cheela, an offshoot of a larger project called Kannada Kalika Kosha, aims to make Kannada learning more enjoyable.
Chilipili Cheela is a set of creative Kannada learning cards for children in classes three to five. The development of these cards has been supported by Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Karnataka as part of the District Quality Education Programme (DQEP).
Each of the 101 cards of Chilipili Cheela has Kannada text in the form of poems, essays, short stories or dialogues on one side, while there are a series of pictures/ illustrations pertaining to the text on the other. The cards are graded for children at different levels of Kannada reading.
According to project co-ordinator Dr Sonali Nag, “With Chilipili Cheela, children can learn the language on their own without much adult supervision. As each card has beautiful illustrations for the text it carries, children learn the subject fast and also grasp the matter in an effective way.”
Initially, children will be given cards with simple content and as they progress, complex cards are given. “These cards also have many language exploration activities, ranging from art and craft to speaking and listening activities,” says Prof A R Vasavi, NIAS.
Over the past three years, the Promise Foundation and NIAS have worked on conceptualising, developing, implementing and monitoring an innovative Kannada learning programme in Chamarajnagar district. “During this time, we learnt that most government school children do not have access to reading material other than text books. We felt there was an urgent need for children to have variety and fun in their reading material. The more they read, the better it is, as reading boosts their writing skills,” opines Dr Sonali Nag.
Chilipili Cheela can be treated as a tiny library inside the classroom as children can access it during their free time. Since the settings in the stories and text in the cards are 'localised', children won't feel alienated. They learn what they see around them. Chilipili Cheela has a set of cards which carries stories set in the urban context as well, to introduce children to a world which they have seen only on television or books.
“Our pilot project, which we carried out in 28 schools of Chamarajnagar district, has received a positive response from children. They enjoy the Cheela so much so that they ask their teacher for it! For example, in Kolipalya Ashrama Shala near Chamarajnagar town, children ask for the cards even after school hours. Teachers also encourage children to pick cards whenever there is some time to spare,” says Prof Vasavi.
Chilipili Cheela has been written by a team of 12 writers and illustrated by a team of three artists.
“I hope Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which supports the project in the State, will take it to other regions as well,” hopes Prof Vasavi.
For details, call: 080-2218 5122/ 080-2571 1129, or log on to www.thepromisefoundation.org or http://www.iisc.ernet.in/nias/site/vidya.html