Changes

Multilingual approach in teaching English

Multilingual approach in teaching English

Multilingualism has witnessed growing interest as a subject of academic study.  In a multilingual country like India where we can find multi language class rooms,  teachers of English are likely to play a pivotal role in incorporating learners languages in the process of classroom transaction.

Multilingualism has witnessed growing interest as a subject of academic study.  In a multilingual country like India where we can find multi language classrooms,  teachers of English are likely to play a pivotal role in incorporating learners languages in the process of classroom transaction.

However, studies indicate that some language teachers do not believe in the importance of a multilingual pedagogy even if they evince positive beliefs about multilingualism in general .This might be because teacher education programs have not traditionally developed language teachers' multilingual identity or their understanding of what a multilingual pedagogy entails In situations where language teachers do not believe in the effectiveness of multilingual teaching practices, they may not draw on their and their students' prior language learning experiences as a resource during lessons, which might create learning difficulties for their students  At present, there are several research gaps with respect to the beliefs of language teachers regarding multilingualism.

However, studies indicate that some language teachers do not believe in the importance of a multilingual pedagogy even if they evince positive beliefs about multilingualism in general .This might be because teacher education programs have not traditionally developed language teachers' multilingual identity or their understanding of what a multilingual pedagogy entails. In situations where language teachers do not believe in the effectiveness of multilingual teaching practices, they may not draw on their and their students' prior language learning experiences as a resource during lessons, which might create learning difficulties for their students.  At present, there are several research gaps with respect to the beliefs of language teachers regarding multilingualism.

The multilingual language teacher

The multilingual language teacher

(a) view multilingualism as a valuable resource,

(a) view multilingualism as a valuable resource,

(b) possess advanced metalinguistic and cross linguistic awareness, as well as methodological knowledge of how to introduce multilingual strategies in English class rooms.

(b) possess advanced metalinguistic and cross linguistic awareness, as well as methodological knowledge of how to introduce multilingual strategies in English classrooms.

(c) be aware of their students' language backgrounds and levels of proficiency

(c) be aware of their students' language backgrounds and levels of proficiency.

Significance of multilingual approach to ELT in India

Significance of multilingual approach to ELT in India

India is a multicultural, multi religious and multi linguistic country. Indian culture has always been an integral part of the Indian education system. Therefore, it becomes very much necessary for the teachers and the learners to be aware of the issues of cultural diversity between English and the vernacular languages. The use of digital tools in English language teaching helps both the teacher and the learner to understand the nuances of the culture practiced in other parts of the world. Being introduced to the different aspects of other cultures the learners may gain confidence to understand not only the text but also their own cultural barriers which remain a stumbling block to their own knowledge and understanding. overcoming the cultural barriers, the learners also accept the good practices found in other cultures and try to incorporate the same in our own culture. This article examines how teaching of English helps the learners not only to overcome the cultural barriers but also to accept and adopt multiculturalism.

India is a multicultural, multireligious and multilinguistic country. Indian culture has always been an integral part of the Indian education system. Therefore, it becomes very much necessary for the teachers and the learners to be aware of the issues of cultural diversity between English and the vernacular languages. The use of digital tools in English language teaching helps both the teacher and the learner to understand the nuances of the culture practiced in other parts of the world. Being introduced to the different aspects of other cultures the learners may gain confidence to understand not only the text but also their own cultural barriers which remain a stumbling block to their own knowledge and understanding. overcoming the cultural barriers, the learners also accept the good practices found in other cultures and try to incorporate the same in our own culture. This article examines how teaching of English helps the learners not only to overcome the cultural barriers but also to accept and adopt multiculturalism.

India is a multicultural, multi religious and multilingual country. It has twenty eight states, seven union territories, 22 national languages, 1162 other languages and dialects. Though it is called as one nation it  has many regions with diverse cultural, religious, and linguistic practices. Indian culture has always been an integral part of India‟s education system. Therefore,  teachers and learners need  to have an awareness of  the issue of  cultural diversity between English  and vernacular languages. They  need to consider the fact that their students come from different cultural backgrounds, have different levels of proficiency, speak their first language , and also may have different social, religious and economic backgrounds. Hence, itbecomes necessary  to  enhance  teachers and  students’  interest  in incorporating  multicultural approaches into academia.

India is a multicultural, multi religious and multilingual country. It has twenty eight states, seven union territories, 22 national languages, 1162 other languages and dialects. Though it is called as one nation it  has many regions with diverse cultural, religious, and linguistic practices. Indian culture has always been an integral part of India‟s education system. Therefore,  teachers and learners need  to have an awareness of  the issue of  cultural diversity between English  and vernacular languages. They  need to consider the fact that their students come from different cultural backgrounds, have different levels of proficiency, speak their first language , and also may have different social, religious and economic backgrounds. Hence, itbecomes necessary  to  enhance  teachers and  students’  interest  in incorporating  multicultural approaches into academia.