KaTa Model of Learning for English Education at Higher Secondary Level in Kerala: Perspectives of a Teacher, Trainer and Curriculum Developer

Abstract

Learning English is compulsory at the higher secondary level in the State of Kerala ever since its inception. As a practising higher secondary school teacher in English, the author is replenished with the first-hand experiences of the problems of learners in classroom while learning English. The various theories of language acquisition have taken into consideration the aspects of cognitive and affective factors, natural instinct, cultural influence, etc. Though English has been compulsorily taught right from the primary level, the standards attained when they reach the higher secondary level are not up to the expectations. The author has postulated the theory of KARATE after an experimental training in Karate.  Based on the results derived from this study, the author investigated the benefits of T’ai Chi another martial art, on the psycho linguistic aspects of language teachers.  The author established a positive link between this martial art and language teaching.  The paper examines the present conditions of English education at higher secondary level within the author’s perspective of a teacher, trainer and curriculum developer. The paper presents a KaTa model of language learning and teaching based on the findings of both studies.