Advanced Teacher Training Program led by European Academicians Held at Chitkara University

/ -- The four-day Advanced CLIL International Training Program commenced at Chitkara University, Punjab, on July 22, 2019. The training program, which will continue till July 25, 2019, has been organized for in-service teachers from Government and Private schools of Pune, Pondicherry, Punjab and Manipal. Total 14 teachers from the above states are actively participating in the International Teacher Training Program, being held at Chitkara University, Punjab Campus. The 4th issue of CLIL@India Newsreel prepared by Manipal Academy of Higher Education; and 3rd edition of CLILNewsline drafted by Chitkara University was released by the dignitaries and Host University, during the inaugural ceremony held before commencement of the training program.

 

CLIL@India is a consortium of 7 universities from across India and abroad, including Symbiosis International University, Pune; Pondicherry University; Manipal Academy of Higher Education; UCLM Spain; University of Latvia; University of Milan and Chitkara University, Punjab, India.

Speaking about the International Training Program, Hon'ble Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Vice-Chancellor, Chitkara University, said, "Chitkara University has organized the Advanced CLIL Training to facilitate gaining insights, transfer and exchange of knowledge of how CLIL is practiced in other parts of the world, so that the participating teachers get at the forefront of new learning techniques, and stay ahead of the curve."

The International Teacher Training Program opened with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony to invoke Goddess Saraswati, followed by a keynote address by Chief Guest, Prof. Minati Panda from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. The session elaborately contributed to understanding the pedagogical concepts and importance of bilingual education for content and language development, while also giving a glimpse into the role of languages and CLIL@India which can aid the medium of instructions at various levels of education.

Dr. Sangeeta Pant, Dean, Chitkara College of Education, Chitkara University, Punjab; presented a glimpse of the course content for the upcoming 4-days interactive workshop. Educators & Experts - Dr. Vaishali Jundre, Deputy Director, ELTIS-SIFIL, Pune; Dr. Parul Sood, Assistant Professor, Chitkara College of Education; Ms. Amrutha Bellur Yathish, Research Associate, CLIL@India Project; Ms. Eeshani Kochhar, Research Associate, CLIL@India Project; Dr. Luciana Pedrazzini, Assistant Professor, Dept of Foreign Language and Literature, Universita degli Studi di, Milano, University of Milan; and Dr. Andrea Nava, Department of Foreign Language and Literature, Universita degli Studi di, Milano, University of Milan; conducted the Advanced Training on Content and Language Integration as a pedagogy, while introducing and sharing their individual CLIL Practices. The expert sessions contributed to understanding how education crosses the language barriers in real time scenario with the help of CLIL@India initiatives.

During the days that follow, CLIL experts will conduct group work activities to help participants create a mind map sharing information about CLIL methodology, take feedback and exchange information regarding the use CLIL methodology in their respective schools, and facilitate interviews between the participants to analyze CLIL techniques currently in use. The Training Program will culminate with the participants drafting a CLIL lesson plan, using material from NCERT textbooks, under the guidance of experts and later present it in groups to get expert feedback.

About Chitkara University:

In the year 2002, Chitkara Educational Trust established its Punjab campus 30km from Chandigarh, on the Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway. In the year 2010, Chitkara University was established by the Punjab State Legislature under 'The Chitkara University Act'. Chitkara University, one of the best universities in Punjab is a government-recognized university with the right to confer degrees as per the Sections 2(f) and 22(1) of the UGC Act, 1956.

Chitkara University has been founded by Dr. Ashok Chitkara and Dr. Madhu Chitkara who have been passionate teachers for more than 40 years now. Chitkara Education brings with it a reputation that has been earned through years of serving the career - needs of the student community. It has a reputation for excellence and innovation among coveted employers for preparing graduates who have the knowledge and skills they need for success in their workplace.

Chitkara University graduates go on to great careers, as they have their hands on the responsive teaching methodology. Students from around the county are attracted to Chitkara University because of their commitment to teaching excellence, because they conduct research that makes a difference, because of their industry partnerships and because of their tailored courses. This difference has been acknowledged by students, parent, alumni, government, and industry since the inception of the university.

Within a decade, most of Chitkara University academic programs are ranked among the top 50 programs in the country which speaks volumes about their string academic heritage, highly committed faculty, extensive industry collaborations, great international connections, and state-of-the-art campus facilities.