'80 pc schools have no trained English teachers'

Knowledge can be received only after a language is learnt. Language being the basic foundation for communication, plays an important role in life of humans, said professor in English,  Karnatak University N S Raghunath. 

 He was speaking in the inaugural session of one-day workshop on ‘grammar and the teaching of grammar’ at SBRR Mahajana first grade college organised in association with Nehru Memorial college of Sullia, South Canara.

“About 80 per cent of Indian schools have no trained English teachers. Universities must come up with certificate in English courses which are accepted by the educational institutions. Students in the class should be allowed to interact with fellow classmates of different mother tongues which increase their linguistic knowledge,” said Raghunath.

Problem in mother tongue

If students are bad at English, it does not mean that they are good at their mother tongue. Most of them have problems with grammar in their mother tongue too. The problem lies in the much deeper level then. There are practical difficulties in teaching grammar. Code switching method or language switching method (multi-lingual method) is not recommended while teaching grammar, said K M Chandar, chairman of department of studies in English, Manasagangothri.

Professor in English at Nehru Memorial college Shakira, retired professor of CIEFL Hyderbad N Krishnaswamy, president of Mahajana Education society R Vasudevmurthy, honorary secretary G S Subramanyam, vice president Prabhushankar, governing council member P R Nagasrinivas and English head of department of the college M P Uma were present.