Activity Oriented Language Learning

Abstract

The activity-based learning methods have advantages as it appeals to a wide range of different senses and also appeal to individual’s varied learning styles. Different activities can be identified and can be tried in the skills thereby increasing the students’ interest in learning process. The Activity Based Learning plays a key role in developing the critical and creative 

mind of students. Activities to learn Tenses, Prepositions, Speech, and Voices etc. are discussed upon and an analysis of the feedback is also made. Activities help students to reinforce the grammar techniques in their mind and also later relate them into real life 

situations.

Key words: activity based learning, learners, skills

Introduction

The Activity-Based Curriculum or activity-oriented curriculum is also termed “project curriculum” or an “experience curriculum”, but the name activity is a fundamental conception. A curriculum material translated in terms of activity is what we call an “activity curriculum.” The subject matter is taught through activities. This activity is used as a means to convey knowledge and skills. Activity-based curriculum design is a great source of motivation for kids as it provides freedom of expression to the child be ”themself fully. However, the activity should not be intermingled with the game. It is rather a playful way of learning things. More emphasis is placed on the way, and then the “learn by doing” activity becomes educative. One must not consider a learning activity as physical activity.

When we say an activity, we mean physical as well as an intellectual activity. The teacher should involve students in activities such that, during the development of manual skills, mental satisfaction in the job should be achieved. Students ought not to be passive hearers but active participants in the learning process. Gaining experience is real learning. A learning activity must end with a gainful experience. When activity is the process, then the experience becomes the product of the activity. And they can never be isolated from one another.

activity-based learning is “learning by doing.” It is a process of learning by performing certain activities. It is highly effective as instead of asking kids to sit, listen and take notes, this mode of learning allows them to participate in their own learning experience via practical activities such as independent investigation and problem-solving.

Analysis and Interpretation

The need of the hour is to enable the learners to communicate effectively and accurately. The learners also attempt to enhance their communicative competence. The teachers are trying to find all those possible means and ways which are task- based and those which lead the students to use language creatively. Language games and problem solving activities are task-based and they highlight not only the competence but also the performance of the learner. Games are enjoyable and learners tend to play the game only to win. In this process they get totally involved in the game and try to solve the problems in a game logically. Unconsciously they try to learn the language in the process of facing the challenges put forth in a game. For example select a game where the students have to use only the synonyms of a given word in the game to reach the target. Here they can be provided with gap filling questions to draw their attention. Thus they can learn vocabulary. Similarly games on tenses, accent, etc. can be selected to teach grammar.

But it is the responsibility of the teachers to select and apply the appropriate games and activities based on the learners’ proficiency levels, age and experience. They also should design clear and easy directions for the selected activities and games. The students will be more attentive towards the entailed details and the meaning in problem solving activities. In the given activity the student should generate a specific grammar point as a solution part of the problem. For example if a teacher wants his or her students to learn future tense s/he can provide example sentences which may represent both present and future tense. If a sentence say’s ‘I’m in the class but I shall see my friend in the canteen as soon as I get his call’. The student can be asked to write that part of the sentence which talks about present tense on the left and other part on right and inform the tense in which it is used. Similarly we can provide some pictures, charts etc. in teaching grammar.

These activities are designed to be inquiry-based and they allow the students for self-exploration of problems and solutions. Some of them encourage work in a self-paced mode, and other promotes group competitions, thinking and discussions. Students are encouraged to find multiple, imaginative, intuitive and common sense solutions and as many solutions to a problem.

Conclusion

In this whole process of teaching a teacher should be only a facilitator. Through these activities an innovative teacher can find a way to integrate all the four skills along with various language elements. It is also observed that such activities provide entertaining opportunities for the students to practice thinking clearly while focusing on the form unconsciously. They also provide favorable usages for extended communicative practice of grammar. 

Reference

Celce-Murcia, M. & Hilles, S. (1988). Techniques and resources in teaching grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cross, D. (1992). A practical handbook of language teaching. G.B.: Prentice Hall.

Eken, D.K. (1996). Ideas for using songs in the English language classroom. English Teaching FORUM, 34/1:46-47

Kim, L.S. (1995). Creative games for the language class. English Teaching FORUM, 33/1: 35-36

McKay, S.L. (1987). Teaching grammar. G.B.: Prentice Hall.

Towndrow, P. (1999). Logic problems and English language learning. MET, 8/1:34-37

Internet Sources

http://www.oocities.org/elt_man2003/grammar.html

http://www.residentassistant.com/games/problemsolving.htm

Survey Graphs

Response to co education survey

response to co education survey

co - education survey

MY WORLD

MUNNAR

                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                       MUNNAR



                          Munnar is famous with the greenery and awesome climate, this place attracts thousands of visitors every day. It's bounding beauty and the climate is loved  by the people all around the world. It was a 2 day trip. We went through Udumalpet, Marayoor,  and the Munnar.

                            After reaching Munnar, First we decided to go to to Tea Museum, which was a part of Tata tea. It portrayed the growth of tea estates and the role of technology in it. I loved the recession part of it where they allow tasting tea of various flavours. Then, we decided to go to Eravikulam natonal park. One we reached there, we take the ticket and follow our guide who was giving information and guidelines. We have seen a sight at Nilgiri Tahr and it was awesome.
                         Then, we move towards Pothamedu view point. it is the perfect place because it is a view point from you can see all tea estates and mountains. My experience with Pothamedu was amazing. Then, we headed to top station for our trekking. First, we stopped at  Echo point. we got down and heard peoples voices and screams. When we packed our bags to get back,we took a promise that we will come back again. May be when Neelakuruji blooms...
           

A visual music

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              LAKSHMI GOPALASWAMY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Dancer and actor Lakshmi Gopalaswamy portrays simplicity in her classical dance performances. An A-grade artiste of Doordarshen, Lakshmi made her mark as a Bharatanatyam dancer much before she enter into the film industry. She is  an expression  queen.                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                   She started learning Bharatanatyam under the under the late Padmani Rao when she has eight years old. She furthered her studies in dance with Guru Narmada for around 15 years. During the same time, she also trained with M.R Krishnamurti and kalakshetra, adapting the style from the school of dance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Her mother Uma Gopalaswamy, being a scholar of music,provided the artistic nourishment,that prompted her to move towards Bharatanatyam. She  still sings for her dance performance. Role models who influenced Lakshmi Gopalaswami are Leela Samson,Vyjayantimala Bali, Badma Subramaniam.                                                                                                        

  Her success in malayalam cinema  also got her offers from  her native Kannada film industry. Her malayalam film arayannangalude veedu got her the Kerala State Award for the best supporting actress. Her second movie, kochu kochu santhoshagal , also brought in much accalim for her acting.                   She have a lot more to create and she aspire to express  her creativity to the fullest. It's a dream of Gopalaswamy to choreograph rare music compositions of Subharama, Dikshithar, Mysore Maharaja, Dasa Sahitya all from her home state,Karnataka.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

A smiling face

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                        A smile on your face
                        makes everyone says that you are so nice;
                        keep a smiling face always,
                        you'll feel happy in all ways.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Whatever may be your sorrows
                        no one should feel you are sad;
                        a smile can wash away all your sadness
                        and thus always fill you with happiness.

Make way for dreams

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

            

                My dreams won't materialise

                 For I am a mere dreamer;

                 and they are a deal of moonlight

                 and frittering in the sunlight.

                                                                                                                                                                                      My vision is lifeless

                  and it is virtual;

                  For it is abstract unless I direct

                  The life screen erect.

                                                                                                                                                                                   But my sins would be

               The first to happen;

               Since my  hopes,wishes,visions

               And dreams makes the way;

               For my aim to come first

               As my aim is a  must

               Till the last.

           

          

About Me

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                      

                I am Ann Maria George. I am from the land of spices and hill station. Yes, I am proud to tell u that i am a Idukki girl. I am a kind of girl who belives in myself and make my way. I think that it's my secret of success. I am a type of girl who enjoys my problem  with my cute smile. I am able to find my happiness on my own.  I have  self confidence without having to rely on another person or society or validation.
       
               

                                                                                                                                                                             My passion is to dance. I get this art from the blood of my mother. She is a classical dance teacher. I am  never tired of dance because its my life. I can enjoy each step along the way. Dance will make me completely free from my problems. My passion is my life and it defines my personality. The one thing that always cheer me up is dancing. It puts a smile on my face and fills my heart with joy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        My inspiration is my parents. They are my role models. My parents guide and encourage me. My father,being a treasury officer,still does not forget to help me and encourage me. What i am today and what i will become in future involves the support and affection of my parents. My parents fill sweetness   to my life.