The Bastion | Learning English
English (Win)glish: Using Technology to Improve Public Education
Today, anyone with the knowledge of English seems to have better job prospects, opportunities, and access to the world. In India, surveys have shown a gap between reading and English comprehension skills of students assessed in public schools. Can technology help in learning English and solve the deteriorating English learning outcomes at hand? Evidence from the MCD Boys School, Delhi, suggests that the answer is yes!
EnglishHelper is providing some answers to the falling standards of state education and English language outcomes; it is an education technology company that works towards making the knowledge of English learning innovative and affordable in various countries around the world. Their initiative, RightToRead, is spread across thousands of public schools in India in the form of a software called ReadToMe.
ReadToMe has been functional in this MCD Boys Primary School for the past five months, the teachers say that there is a considerable amount of improvement in the English language standards amongst the students. Ms. Asha Ghai, the Principal of this school has been at her post for seven years, ensuring her students get the opportunity to be who they want to be. Boys in classes three to five learn English in a ‘Smart Class’, equipped with a projector and a software that teaches students to speak in English with the correct pronunciation of words. Along with a focus on pronunciation, the software allows students to translate words in Hindi to grasp their meanings and view a picture dictionary that gives a visual aid. ReadToMe allows students to gain confidence to speak in English as it helps improve their reading and comprehension skills.
Asha Ghai believes that ReadToMe is a great motivational factor for teachers as well because it encourages engagement, interaction, and actual learning. A model such as this, helpful for both teachers and students, can work towards eliminating most of the problems associated with India’s public education system.
To know more about ReadToMe and the RightToRead initiative and see videos of a ReadToMe class in progress, click on the link below.
The original article has been written and published by the The Bastion:
(January 2018)
How Technology Helps in Learning English
Technology has become central in our lives. It helps us in many aspects of our lives like creativity, social communication etc. Technology also helps us in learning English. Use learning content that enables you to read, listen, and speak at a level that’s right for you. As you practice your English skills, you will improve your English language skills.
English Helper has a free online program that starts with a simple placement test so you know what your level is. www.englishhelper.com/dashboard/practice-spoken-english. It is a free program that starts off with a placement test and gives you a lot of practice at each level. The best way of learning English is to read aloud at your level.