LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 15:10 October 2015
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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M. S. Thirumalai
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English for First Generation Learners in Engineering Colleges

G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
D. Nagarathinam, Ph.D.
M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

Abstract

First generation learners in Tamilnadu face more difficulty in mastering English. First generation students in Engineering Colleges need additional exposure to English and appropriate graded steps to improve their mastery of English. This paper identifies some of the characteristics of First Generation Learners and suggests specially designed courses outside class hours and outside the regular curriculum when they begin their engineering studies.

Key words: First Generation Learners, English learning difficulties, additional course and practice sessions.

Introduction

In this paper we discuss the English-learning needs and skills of first generation learners who have enrolled in or have been admitted to engineering colleges in Tamilnadu. What we describe and suggest here may be applicable to the needs and skills of first generation learners who have enrolled in the engineering colleges in other states as well. Our examples are primarily from the domain of first generation learners in Tamilnadu. We also need to emphasize that there are quite a few college lecturers both in English and engineering subjects who are also first generation learners but have succeeded completing their studies and have begun their career as lecturers, etc. They also continue to aim at improving their English skills to meet the demands of classroom instruction.

Meaning of the Term First Generation Learners

The term first generation learner has a deeper meaning when it is applied to the students of Tamilnadu. Socio-economic status is an important factor here. First generation learners may be not only the first generation learners at the college level, but also they might have been first generation learners in the entire formal schooling system. In other words, even at the elementary level, they might have been the first generation learners from their families.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor
Faculty of English & Foreign Languages
Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University)
Gandhigram
Dindigul 624 302
Tamilnadu
India
rgbaskaran@gmail.com

D. Nagarathinam, Ph.D.
Principal
Theni Kammavar Sangam College of Technology
(Via) Veerapandi
Theni-625 534
Tamilnadu
India
Dnagarathinam1960@gmail.com

M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Faculty Member
University of Phoenix, AZ
USA
thirumalai12@email.phoenix.edu
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