Lighting a torch
The Trusts’ efforts to reach out and equip educators enables Suman to overcome his fear of English and become a better teacher
Suman Dayal Panariya has been a teacher at the Agantara Primary School in Garhi village, Baihar block, Balaghat district, since 1998. From his childhood, he has been afraid of English, and had never shown any interest in learning the language. However, as a teacher, he had to take lessons in English. Initially, he avoided taking the classes as he did not have the confidence to take classes in English even at the primary level. But this state of affairs could not last long — his superiors began to pressurise him into learning the language.
Mr Panariya’s lack of knowledge of English was also hurting his self-esteem. It was then that his friend Rajesh Bhardwaj came to his rescue. Mr Bhardwaj was a Cluster Academic Co-ordinator (CAC) for Aide et Action. He advised Mr Panariya to approach the AeA team for help. Taking his advice, Mr Panariya began to interact with the AeA staff members when they visited the school. He also discussed with them how to teach English in a manner that would retain the interest of the child.
When AeA organised an English training workshop called the ‘English Connection Training Program’, Mr Bhardwaj, who as a CAC was invited, shared Mr Panariya’s problem with the team. He also recommended his friend’s name as a potential participant in the workshop. The AeA team conducted a test in which Mr Panariya scored 38 out of a possible 99 marks. Looking at the dismal score, and his willingness to join the programme, Mr Panariya was quickly finalised as a participant.
The workshop, held over five days, was a huge success as far as Mr Panariya was concerned. The training he received during the workshop rebuilt his confidence, and helped him understand that the language was not difficult at all — it was his fear that kept him in darkness all these years. Mr Panariya enthusiastically participated in all the programmes and performed extremely well. As a result, he was able to confidently give his feedback about the workshop in English.
The methods and activities which were conducted during the workshop proved very useful tools for him to take back. It has helped him list games and activities that can be played with children to help them learn the language easily. The training has also served to improve his communication skills in English, and for this, as well as his increased confidence, he credits AeA.
