Proving to be an innovative learning experience away from the classroom environment, the English Olympiad 2011 provided students an opportunity to display their love for the English language.
An array of competitions was held for the selected students from the government, aided and unaided schools at the Olympiad. The event was organised by the District Centre for English (Department of General Education, Government of Kerala and English & Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad) in association with The Hindu .
Insightful discussions
The event started with a group discussion on various topics that had the students wildly arguing, each trying to make a point of some relevance. Even when it came to questioning the need for examinations in schools, students proved to be sensible by agreeing with the need for examination as a method of self-evaluation.
Soon it was time to show their acting skills in the skit competition as students in groups occupied various rooms and every possible corner of the main stage they could find to transform themselves into a bribe taking official or an Anna Hazare in tune with the theme of “Corruption”.
Back stage, Ananth Krishnan dressed as a king looked into the mirror to draw a moustache while his friend adjusted his crown. As they got ready, these students of the Government VHSS, Vellanad, explained that they were waiting to start the choreography contest.
“In the choreography contest, students have to recite a poem and present a visual representation of it,” Ananth added.
Poetic fun
Most of the students picked up those memorised poems from their Std VIII textbooks and presented a visual treat to the audience. While some dived into a dramatic version of a scorpion bite from the classic poem The Night of the Scorpion by Nissim Ezekiel, some, like Ananth enacted the poem The Enchanted Shirt by John Hay.
From hand-made school magazines to the various static models and ICT projects, the exhibition of the class-room products by students brought out their creative skills.
The Olympiad had not just the students but also the teachers participating and having their share of fun too in the “Pick and Speak” an extempore competition.
According to one of the Judges, Preetha.P.V., the students had shown interest to interact among each other to share ideas and reflect about their interests and develop their ability to work together.
