Consequent to globalization, MNCs have set up a large number of outfits, which require a large workforce equipped with effective communication/soft skills. The present curriculum in English and the teaching methodologies adopted, as revealed by a survey conducted among the undergraduate students of colleges in Karur District, Tamil Nadu, are both irrelevant and ineffective. To rectify the situation and improve the linguistic proficiency of learners, it is necessary to develop a suitable curriculum and adopt innovative methodologies. The primary requirement is a `paradigm shift' from the existing teacher-centric to the learner-centric approach. The new methodologies include ensuring motivation and monitoring; increasing use of audiovisual aids and multimedia; classroom interaction with students; conducting group discussions and debates; encouraging awareness of current news; and adopting English for Specific Purpose (ESP) materials. For this purpose, universities and formulators of curriculum in English should take a serious step and revamp the present curriculum and the obsolete methodologies prevailing now in educational institutions all over.
Due
to globalization, many MNCs have started setting up
several outfits for their operations in India. They
require a large work force in various disciplines and
the prerequisites to get employed are communication
skills and soft skill training. To be successful in
one's career, one needs competence not only in listening,
speaking, reading and writing but also team dynamics,
presentation skills, decision-making, persuasive skills,
negotiation skills and the like. The need of the hour
is to equip oneself with these skills. This paper discusses
the necessity to frame a need based English curriculum
and develop innovative methodologies that can be adopted
in a class room situation to enhance the quality of
the students.
A
survey was conducted among students who were undergoing
their Undergraduate Program from Colleges in the Karur
District of Tamil Nadu, which broadly comes under Bharathidasan
and Periyar University. The main objectives of the survey
are to find out the relevance of English curriculum,
the competence of the students and their needs as perceived
by them. English language is taught for two years at
the Undergraduate Level and for only one year for B.Com.
and B.B.A. students in Periyar University. The curriculum
consists of general prose, poetry, short stories and
basic grammar. B.Com. students have business communication,
which deals with letter writing. |
