‘Academic English Bridge course’ in SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation School

Dr.K.Govindaraju delivers key note address

While delivering key note address in one day seminar organized by SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation higher secondary school, Pettavaithalai for Students of this school on “Academic English Bridge course’ ,Dr.K.Govindaraju, the School Director said “The Academic English Bridge course's primary purpose is to ensure that all students studying in SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School have achieved the standard for English language proficiency required for better understanding of their lessons in all subjects in English medium. The Academic English Bridge course is useful to students in the areas of English language abilities, students' academic skills, increase their ability to use and incorporate technology in the learning process and widen their general knowledge base with a well defined, integrated skill, theme-based program. This course is an integrated English language skills with a range of language learning experiences in reading, writing, listening and speaking with a focused learning of Grammar and vocabulary in conjunction with activities and tasks as students work. Students are to be engaged in various tasks and activities through the integrated curriculum which allow them to combine reading, writing, listening and speaking activities to create a rich learning environment. At this bridge course level, the focus is on comprehension of short written texts of up to 300 words and spoken texts of up to 4 minutes. Students are expected to write a series of connected sentences as well as paragraphs, Accuracy in writing, speaking tasks focus on interactive exchanges and structured discussions related to textbook content as well as short formal presentations to classmates. Grammar needs to be practiced in all of the output tasks and is specifically taught in a separate strand of the program.

Dr.K.Govindaraju further said “In the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in courses to bridge gaps in training. There are different models of combined bridging courses to support students to help them prepare for the working world, for general education schools, by encouraging key skills and closing individual knowledge gaps. The Academic Bridge in English Language helps students become fluent in English and develop the necessary academic skills to succeed in their studies and plan for future education and to develop students' confidence, improve their general knowledge and help them understand the world around them. The Academic English Bridge course is to help students to become successful autonomous learners; apply critical thinking skills in finding and making use of information systems; develop the skills of self-assessment and self-monitoring; develop the skills of working in groups and as leaders while achieving learning goals; develop the reading skills required in order to understand written texts relevant to their needs; develop the writing skills required in order to produce relevant written texts at the required level of competency; develop listening skills in order to understand relevant spoken texts; and to develop fluent and accurate speaking skills to interact appropriately and at the required level. Because English is the language of instruction at SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School, the Academic English Bridge course plays a key role through the  Readiness Program, strengthening students' English abilities so that they can successfully study their academic courses through the medium of English”.-Govin