CLIx English in Maharashtra: A Tata Trust–L&T Collaboration (21.09.17-22.09.17)
A two-day training in CLIx English modules was held for the personnel of Pratham InfoTech Sanchar Ltd on 21–22 September 2017 at Khoparkairne, Navi Mumbai. Pratham InfoTech is L&T’s implementing partner under their CSR initiative. L&T is interested in exploring the English modules and assessing the feasibility of implementing them in selected tribal belts in Maharashtra. Tata Trust facilitated the training, which was led by members of the CLIx English and Technology teams and supported by Panchalee and Aryadev of Tata Trust.
Fourteen enthusiastic teacher trainers travelled from Palghar to Mumbai in the early hours of the morning of 21st September to attend the training. Despite the early start, the young men and women were bright and alert, waiting to explore the CLIx English modules on the Unplatform. When we walked into the room, they already had the modules loaded onto their laptops and had started browsing the lessons.
After an initial discussion on what it means to teach English in the classroom, we explained the CLIx English pedagogy of creating safe and collaborative learning spaces and authentic language learning contexts for students in schools. We also explained the reasons for adopting a communicative approach to English rather than a grammar-oriented one.
What followed was an hour and a half of silent and intense exploration of the modules by the teacher trainers. They worked independently, confidently navigated the platform and had very few questions about classroom transaction. They opined initially that students would find it difficult to follow the English levels. However, after an hour of immersive exploring, they admitted that they liked the modules and felt more confident about their working in the schools.
CLIx team leading discussions during demonstration of tools by participants
In the following sessions, participants confidently demonstrated to fellow trainers the use of Story Time, Open Story, Let’s Talk and CLIx Time. A discussion on the technical aspects of the Unplatform followed, led by Tanvi Domadia of the CLIx technology team.
Discussion on the technical aspects of the Unplatform
The training marked yet another milestone in the expansion of CLIx’s vision and its journey of disseminating quality content through ICT-enabled teaching and learning processes.
(Nishevita Jayendran, Curriculum Consultant, English Team, CLIx)
