Spoken English training for teachers from today

Udupi: In a significant step towards strengthening English fluency in aided Kannada medium schools, Brahmavar block resource person Uday Kota has launched a structured spoken English training programme for teachers.
Supported by the education department, the initiative aims to empower teachers first, thereby instilling confidence in their students. The programme will be launched first at Aided Hindu Higher Primary School, Udyavara, through a five-day workshop beginning on Friday. The training will focus on activity-based learning methods, covering key areas such as classroom communication, essential grammar, professional and personality development, and conducting school programmes and assemblies in English, Kota told TOI.
About 12 teachers are expected to participate in the workshop which also marks the first time a school in Udupi voluntarily came forward to host the teacher training module, said Kota.
Kota said the workshop is not just about language, but it is about building confidence. "Teachers, especially from rural areas, often know English, but hesitate to speak it. In Kannada medium schools, they get to speak English during a 40-minute period dedicated to English per day. If spoken English is introduced even once a week, it will benefit both students and teachers," he said.
Kota had launched spoken English classes for govt primary school students in Brahmavar about four years ago. Since then, the programme expanded to schools across the state, including those in Bhatkal, Honnavar, Sirsi, Siddapur, Sullia, Bantwal and more recently, Belthangady. In Brahmavar alone, 89 govt primary schools, 12 aided schools, and 10 high schools are currently part of this initiative.
The workshop for teachers aims to capitalise the summer vacation. "As students make the most of their summer holidays through camps, this is a chance for teachers to return to the classroom with renewed confidence and skills. The goal is to preserve Kannada medium schools, while equipping children with the ability to communicate effectively in English," Kota said. For the first time, spoken English festivals were held at the taluk level and in various schools of Bramhavar.