Dear Colleagues,

Here is the April issue of NELTA Choutari. We have an interview with Mr. Hemanta Raj Dahal, newly elected President of NELTA. The President has covered a wide area of issues about NELTA focusing on how he will lead the organization forward and address the increasing expectation of its members. Please share your thoughts and reactions to his plans and strategies on how to lead NELTA in more professional ways and how to enhance the practice and scholarship of ELT in Nepal. In addition, Mr. President highlights the significance of the role of NELTA Choutari in promoting NELTA’s professional/academic activities.

In this issue, you will also find ELT articles which address a variety of issues about teaching English in Nepal. Shyam  Pandey’s article Mentoring in Nepalese Context highlights the necessity of mentoring in the context of Nepal. The article is based on the writer’s teaching and learning experience. It stresses that mentoring as one of the best modes of teacher professional development, which is being late to be formally adopted it in Nepal.

Similarly, Suman Laudari’s article Use of Authentic Materials in Language Classrooms: A Fashion or Compulsion? explains what authentic language teaching materials are. It also highlights the importance of using authentic material in the EFL classroom. It concludes that the use of authentic materials should reflect the language change in the classroom which helps teachers and students become aware of such changes.

Ganesh Gnawali’s article Reflective Learning concentrates on the subject of reflective teaching practice which can lead us to better understanding of pedagogy and professional development. It involves one’s own critical thinking and analysis with the goal of improving professional practice. Engaging in reflective practice requires individuals to assume the perspective of an external observer in order to identify the assumptions and feelings underlying their practice and then to speculate about how these assumptions and feelings affects practice.

In his article Outrunning the Unknown, Mr Hemraj Kafle reflects on his professional experiences as a teacher by drawing an analogy between  professional life and a race. Whether you like it or not, there is always the pressure to run faster. You may not know others’ speed but must constantly try to outrun them without tresspassing their trails.

Mabindra’s article The Role of Local Culture and Context in English Language Teaching is based on the assumption that English is fast becoming a global language and it will become more so in the future. We are learning to use English in our communication; so, the local context cannot be disregarded, and also it is important to consider the cultural values. Although the opinions about how or if local context and culture should be used in teaching English are divided,  the use of local context and culture can be done at least in the  earlier stages to facilitate learning of English language. It will also enhance the feeling of ownership of English among learners which can further assist in a more progressive learning to take place.

We  hope you will enjoy this issue of NELTA Choutari April issue and leave your comments. I would like to request all the readers to leave more substantial comments than simply saying ‘Good job’, ‘Wonderful article!’, ‘Yes, I agree with you’, etc. Such comments will be only for the sake of comments. We want increase in readership and sharing among readers. As a teacher, you might have achieved much professional success through learning and training yourself, but it is our responsibility to contribute to the professional development of other teachers as well. Substantial comments can be a good resource for others, now and in the future.

(If you are unable to upload your comments, please send your comments to neltanetworking@gmail.com or kpoudelnp@yahoo.com )

Cheers!

Kamal Poudel

Coordinator for NELTA Choutari April Issue

General Secretary, NELTA

Contact: 9851060155