Importance of English language teaching emphasized

CHITRAL, Sept 8: Speakers at a function held in connection with the inaugural ceremony of a course on ‘English Language teaching: an integrated part of applied linguistics’ said English language teaching has occupied the position of a modern science due to its being the most effective vehicle of communication of knowledge across the globe. Held under the auspices of English department of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sherignal Upper Dir at its Chitral campus and funded by Higher Education Commissioin, the one-month refresher course is being arranged for the English teachers of allied colleges in Chitral. Speakers including Dr. Mir Afzal Tajik, head of professional development centre of Aga Khan University and Dr. Kamal Khan, assistant professor of English department of SBBU and others who highlighted the place and value of English language in the universal system of education including science and technology. They said that one has to keep pace with the fast changing phenomena in the arena of English language teaching taking place in the developed countries and the HEC has the undertaken the task of refreshing the teachers throughout the country. They said that the services of the distinguished and eminent linguists from the leading universities of the country have been hired to impart the latest knowledge to the local college teachers of English language and it happens to be first of its kind here. The speakers said that the mechanism for the transmission of knowledge has undergone drastic changes and for a teacher of language in higher educational institutions was a prerequisite. Regarding the contents of the course, they enumerated phonology and phonetics, syntax and semantics, contemporary English language essentials, role of linguistics, different methods and approaches of the language acquisition. They said that latest approaches to research methodology in the English language teaching which addressed the latest issues of pedagogue and it will also enable the participants to adopt critical approaches to different developments in the field. The assistant registrar of the university, Ibrahim Jan was also present on the occasion and welcomed the participants and assured them of all necessary facilities during the training.–Zahiruddin ]]>