Jalandhar: Training to enhance teachers’ English skills

Jalandhar: The Punjab government has launched an initiative aimed at improving the English proficiency of teachers in government schools. A comprehensive training programme for English teachers is underway in nine districts of the state under the leadership of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, SCERT Director Amrinder Brar and Assistant Director Amandeep Kaur. The nine districts include Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib and SAS Nagar. In Jalandhar, it is being organised at Government School Nehru Garden and the programme is coordinated by State Nodal Officer Chandra Shekhar and comprises a team of expert resource persons. These experts have been specially trained by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the US Embassy and are now sharing their expertise with English teachers across the state.
The training covers several key areas designed to address various aspects of language teaching. A key component is ‘Foundations of English Language Teaching and Learner Needs’, which explores the fundamental concepts of language education and the specific needs of learners in second language classrooms. This section aims to build a solid foundation for effective English teaching. Another important area covers ‘Adapting Instruction and Managing Diversity’. This module equips teachers with strategies for adjusting their teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and needs, ensuring that all students receive effective and individualized instruction. The program also focuses on classroom management techniques, providing teachers with practical ways to maintain a well-structured and conducive learning environment.

Enhancing motivation is another important aspect of the training. This module provides strategies for increasing students’ enthusiasm and participation in learning, which is crucial for academic achievement. Finally, the training covers monitoring a language classroom and providing feedback, teaching teachers how to effectively assess and provide constructive feedback to support students’ progress. State nodal officer Shekhar said the initiative represents a significant effort by the Punjab government to raise the standard of English education in government schools. “With around 575 teachers trained in this first phase, the programme is set to have a substantial impact on improving English language skills among students, paving the way for better educational outcomes across the state,” he said.