Indian village children learning English through extracurricular activities
Posted by Filed under Cultural Differences
India is a place where English language skills affect further education, and, in turn, job opportunities and general quality of life. If children don’t do well at the language at school, it will undoubtedly affect their whole future. Unfortunately, many children in India learn English by rote, often without context or relation to their own lives.
In Thane district, NGO Learning Space Foundation has been set up to address these issues and help village kids learn English better. They have encouraged parents to let their kids have study time rather than help in the fields or the kitchen, and around 120 of these children have been attending regular extracurricular classes. The fact that the classes are voluntary and some children have to travel over 3km on foot to get there means they must be doing something right.
The curriculum used in the classes simplifies English, gives it a context, and incorporates tribal culture, drama, music, and art. It even helps kids with other subjects like maths.
It’s really inspiring to see that it’s possible to make study so relevant and fun that kids really want to learn.
Full article: The Times of India.