A course on English Teaching Methodology for retired persons

Edward Weerasinghe, Kelaniya Group Corr.

Many enthusiasts of English have now begun to show an interest in the Inter-Cultural English Education Centre because of the novel methods it uses to impart English speaking ability to rural youth.

They are amazed at the efficiency of the method, which they consider extraordinary. Some even feel that if they could get a clear grasp of the method's secret of success, they would start teaching English themselves and even run small private English schools of their own.

To assist such individuals the staff of the Inter-Cultural English Education Centre at Eldeniya, Kadawata, has taken the initiative to organise a short course to introduce this method which, to distinguish from others customarily used, is referred as the Mother-tongue Comparative Method of Teaching English' The method is clearly expounded in the English Grammar of Dr. Antony Fernando 'Foundation to English' and of which over 1,85,000 copies have sold so far.

The course will deal mainly with the methodology usable in classes for those whose mother tongue is Sinhala.

The course which will be held on ten Wednesday mornings starting April 30, consists of both theory and practice. It is open to anybody who is fluent in English. The course is ideally suited to retired persons who wish to help jobless youth while getting an additional income themselves. It is no secret that the inability of youth to speak in English is the main reason for the widespread joblessness in the country.

A certificate of 'Competence in English Teaching Methodology' will be awarded to those who complete the 40 hour course successfully.