7. Learner Profile and Learner Centred ESLT: Challenges of handling diverse, heterogeneous, mixed ability classrooms Professor Vaishna Narang,
Former Professor and Dean,
Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi, India
(Abstract) English Language learning and teaching in urban Indian schools follows certain set pedagogical
models of education in general and language education in particular. These models follow a
structured pattern of curriculum design, framing of syllabi, planning the lessons and execution of
the same in a time bound manner. No distinction in perceived between the language courses, in
this case English as a second language, and the content courses. Hence the pedagogical model
remains the same i.e. transfer of content as prescribed.
In recent years ESLT in India has seen some paradigm shifts in favour of learner centred
pedagogy but we are still far from accepting the diversity and heterogeneity in Indian class
rooms and using the same as an asset rather than a challenge in language education.
The present paper proposes social-emotional process of learning and teaching for the young
learners at the primary level and rational, logical, reasoned approach for the young adults in
high schools and UG- PG programmes and a gradual move from SE Learning to RL Learning in
the intervening period. Both the models propose to use the diversity and heterogeneity in the
learner profiles as an asset rather than a challenge.
8. Learning and Teaching English Effectively Prof. Deepti Gupta
Department of English
Punjab University
Chandigarh, India
(Abstract) With the rich storehouse of research in language teaching and learning, the whole paradigm of
English Studies requires selected input in order to reach cutting-edge excellence. While teaching
the literary aspect of English Studies, most of the innovation and change comes from the
curriculum end of the ecosystem. But when the focus shifts to learning and teaching English,
being effective depends upon the pedagogy and approach, which further draws inspiration from
research studies in Applied Linguistics. This talk takes a look at the major concepts that can
influence the teaching and learning of English and also explores how teachers and learners can
draw upon them.
