Unit 1 — Introduction to ELT

Bit-wise, vivid and example-rich notes converted to HTML (study-ready).

BIT 1: Meaning of ELT

What ELT means and why it matters.

Definition: ELT is the structured process of teaching English to learners who use another language at home. It includes planning lessons, classroom activities, assessment and evaluation focussed on language skills.

Real-life example:

Manaswini from Odisha speaks Odia at home. At school she learns English through stories, poems and conversations. This teaching—helping her read, write, listen, and speak English—is ELT.

  • Focus: Four skills — Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing (LSRW).
  • Goal: Practical communication (not only grammar-for-exam).

BIT 2: Nature of ELT

How language learning behaves in real classrooms.

  1. Skill-based: Real tasks — listening to announcements, asking for directions, reading labels, filling forms.
  2. Gradual & developmental: Words → phrases → sentences → functions. Example: "cat" → "The cat is sleeping."
  3. Interactive: Language develops by using it — pair work, discussions, role-play.
  4. Context-dependent: Teaching in India differs from teaching in the UK — use local examples and languages.
Mini scenario: A student hears a train announcement (listening), asks the ticket seller (speaking), reads the platform number (reading) and signs a form (writing). These are real skills ELT should build.

BIT 3: Scope of ELT

Where ELT works — classroom to policy.

  • Classroom teaching: lesson plans, activities, interactive tasks (role-play, games).
  • Curriculum & materials: textbooks, audio, videos, digital resources like DIKSHA.
  • Evaluation: listening tests, oral exams, continuous assessment, remedial support.
  • Teacher development: workshops, reflective practice, ICT training.
Teacher action: Teacher records a short English conversation on a phone and shares it for students to practise listening at home.

BIT 4: Global Status of English

Why English matters worldwide.

  • English functions as a lingua franca — common means of communication across nationalities.
  • Majority of academic publications, internet content and technical docs use English.
  • Travelling or working globally often requires English (airports, hotels, tourism).
Observation: While visiting an international market, people from many countries use English to talk to each other.

BIT 5: Status of English in India

Functions of English in Indian public and educational life.

  • Associate official language: used in judiciary, administration and parliamentary records.
  • Education & exams: medium in many schools & universities; essential for higher education.
  • Jobs & technology: required by sectors like IT, tourism, healthcare.
Workplace reality: A nurse may communicate with patients in Odia but must write case notes and read medical guidelines in English.

BIT 6: Language & Education Policies (India)

Short, practical summary of major policies.

  • Three Language Formula: Mother tongue/regional language + Hindi + English → promotes multilingual competence.
  • NPE 1986 & POA 1992: Supported communicative English and teacher training.
  • NEP 2020: Emphasises multilingualism, activity-based learning, and skill development in languages.
Classroom implication: Use storytelling, games and mother-tongue support to teach English vocabulary rather than rote memorization.

BIT 7: Teaching in Bilingual / Multilingual Classrooms

Practical classroom strategies to include every learner.

  1. Use prior knowledge: link English words to students' home language equivalents.
  2. Controlled code-switching: use mother tongue only to explain difficult concepts.
  3. Scaffolding: provide support (sentence starters, visuals) and gradually withdraw it.
  4. Contextual teaching: use local examples, festivals, market scenes to teach vocabulary.
Mixed-language task: Show a picture of a cow. Students say local words (goru, gai) and teacher teaches the English word cow. Then students make simple sentences: "The cow is in the field."

BIT 8: Methods, Approaches & Techniques (Intro)

Short definitions plus classroom illustrations.

Method
A fixed system of teaching (e.g., Grammar-Translation, Direct Method).
Approach
Theoretical basis or belief about language teaching (e.g., Communicative Approach).
Technique
Concrete classroom practice (e.g., role play, drills, picture description).
Technique example: Role-play — two students practise a shop conversation to develop functional English.
Quick method examples (click to expand)
Direct Method: Only English used; objects and actions shown directly ("This is a pen.").
Grammar-Translation: Translation between L1 and English; strong focus on grammar rules and written texts.
Communicative Approach: Emphasis on meaningful communication; tasks that reflect real-life use.

BIT 9: Learning Activities (Practical Tasks)

Assignments & practice tasks teachers/students can use right away.

  1. Prepare a short report on language policies (NPE 1986 & POA 1992) — highlight classroom implications.
  2. Create a detailed lesson plan for one topic (mention methods & techniques).
  3. Analyze textbook units for listening & speaking activities — identify cognitive/affective/psychomotor aims.
  4. Choose one Class IX/X unit and evaluate tasks for real-life relevance and skill coverage.
Activity idea: Ask students to record a 1-minute description of their home in English. Evaluate for clarity and everyday vocabulary (not grammar alone).
Prepared from uploaded material — Pedagogy of English. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
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