During the past year, I came across a lot of news items (including some based on scientific studies) about the benefits of multilingualism. There was so much on this issue that I sometimes wondered if the scientific and sociological studies were essentially a part of rather political responses to the ongoing redistribution of economic and … Continue reading Beauty and Power of Multilingualism
Shailaja Jha We all know that Nepal is an extremely multilingual society. But what is the status of multilingualism in educational context of Nepal? In this essay, I describe multilingualism and the spread of English in Nepal. I also discuss multilingualism as a means for creating social harmony as well as enhancing teaching and learning … Continue reading Multilingualism in/and Nepalese Education
In his presentation, Proessor Holliday discusses the role of English in this heterogeneous world from multilingual and cross-cultural perspectives. Click the links below to download the pdf versions of his presentation PowerPoints. English in multilingual and cross-cultural context The complexity of culture
This audio clip was archieved from one of the BBC Nepali Sajha Sawal programs. This media reveals us the complexities and challenges of multilingulism in Nepal. Because we have been arguing that language pedagogy is shaped by every setting’s unique socio-cultural and linguistic particularities, this stimulus can be one of the resources to familarize the … Continue reading Multilingualism in Nepal (Jun 09)
Introduction A good teacher is one of the prominent figures in society. It is believed that whatever the teacher teaches is correct and true. So, the teacher is a role model in a society whose character can be imitated by numerous people. Therefore, a teacher should always have a positive attitude and have a person … Continue reading Teaching English in the Rural Schools: A Teacher’s Reflection
Dear valued readers and contributors, Greetings! It gives us immense pleasure to share you that ELT Choutari is fifteen from this January. This relentless journey wouldn’t have been possible without your love, support and contribution. We are thankful to our readers, contributors, friends and critiques for everything they have rendered so far. What a moment … Continue reading Welcome to the 15th Anniversary Issue, 15 (106)
Abstract In this article, I have tried to expose the difficulties of a multilingual classroom and my practice of translanguaging to address those problems to do fair to students’ native language as equally as the target language. The classroom is the microcosm of society, providing the authentic flavor of each society’s culture, lifestyle, and way … Continue reading Translanguaging practices in classroom: My experiences
Abstract Nepal is a multilingual, multicultural, and multi-ethnic country where different people dwell with their own identities in terms of culture, tradition, and language in society. As per the data of 2068, there are 126 ethnic groups and 123 languages. Multilingualism refers to the condition in which more than two languages are used in the … Continue reading Challenges of teaching English to basic level students in multilingual classrooms: A narrative inquiry
Prem Prasad Poudel is a recent PhD graduate from The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2021/22). He is an Assistant Professor at Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. He has experiences teaching at higher education in Nepal and Hong Kong, and has been continuously engaged in research with national and international teams … Continue reading Structural conditions are responsible for parental agency to influence the uncritical adoption of EMI: Dr. Poudel
Abstract This paper tries to explore the process and practices of language in education policy in local governments of Nepal. For the study, I selected a local government of the Rupandehi district and took the mayor and deputy mayor as respondents who have been working in the area of local policy-making activities. I performed in-depth … Continue reading Language in Education Policy at Local Level of Nepal
Abstract Due to the widespread use of English language throughout the globe, teaching and learning English language has got really surprising importance. This has raised a number of questions related to effective English language teaching. In this scenario, with the help of the author’s own experience in teaching English language for more than a decade, … Continue reading What makes English language teaching effective?
Introduction ELT Choutari, initiated in January 2009, is Nepal’s first collaborative and most-read digital ELT magazine which contributes to the ELT discourse in particular and education in general. Initiated by ELT pioneers and enthusiasts, it has been serving as a virtual forum to connect ELT professionals and engage them in critical discussion on the diversified … Continue reading Exploring the readers’ response and reflections
Ram A. Giri, PhD, academic staff at Monash University, English Language Centre, Melbourne, teaches and researches issues related to ELICOS courses, TESOL, language testing, and language (education) policy. In his extensive career spreading over Nepal and Australia, he has published in international journals, written book chapters, and published edited books. He is the editor-in-chief of … Continue reading English is one of the local languages in Nepal: Dr. Giri
In our last conversation, Praveen asked me to offer some recommendations for some recent “good” books on ELT for our English teachers in Nepal. I, promptly, but hesitatingly said ‘yes’. I was hesitant mainly for two reasons: reflecting on what I read last year, it was hard for me to remember the names of the … Continue reading More to ELT: Two Books on Language Education and Communication
Teaching English as a language is different from using English as language of instruction Prem Phyak (a PhD from the University of Hawaii, USA) is a lecturer, at department of English Education, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. His area of PhD is Second Language Studies, with a focus on multilingual ideologies, policies and pedagogies. His research areas … Continue reading Language Planning and Policy Should Embrace Inclusive and Co-learning Practices: Dr. Phyak
From Frustration to Actions on Language Policy and Quality of Education for All A couple of days ago, while I was video-chatting from here in New York with a cousin in Nawalparasi, the conversation turned to education. This thirty some year-old brother said he had discontinued education since we met a decade ago, gone to … Continue reading Beyond Beating Dead Horses
On behalf of the ELT Choutari team, I would like to wish everyone a slightly belated Happy New Year 2016! And welcome to a special Anniversary issue once again!! This is the eighth year of our blogging about ELT. We are grateful to you for reading and promoting the ELT khurak we provide here. And … Continue reading Welcome to Seventh Anniversary Issue of Choutari: January 2016
When I had a brief stint as principal of a private school in Nepal circa 2008-2009, I had to deal with two frustrating parents representing two contrasting groups that created financial hardship for the school to run. One group represented the canny and the other naive. Mr. Chatur (pseudonym) represented the canny group, the smart … Continue reading Boarding the Illusory Train
EMI has been a hot topic for research and interaction locally and globally. Choutari Editor Jeevan Karki has spoken to Prem Phyak, a PhD scholar from the University of Hawaii, US on EMI. Mr. Phyak critically shares his opinions on practices and realities on EMI and suggests some ways forward for EMI practice in Nepal. … Continue reading Reimagining education from a multilingual perspective: Policies/practices, realities and looking forward
Deepak Dulal, Master Second year Mahendra Ratna Campus , Tahachal , Kathmandu Attending the twentieth international conference of English Language Teaching (ELT) last month was my first ever experience. I cannot help myself expressing immense pleasure to be a part as a participant in the mega event. Like in the past years, it was the … Continue reading My first ever experience attending the conference
