TIRUCHY: The Thennur Middle School in Tiruchy on Tuesday introduced a ‘Conversation Diary’ learning model for students of Classes 4 to 8, where they turn everyday conversations in Tamil into formal writing, aiming to strengthen reading, writing, and speaking skills of the language.
Speaking to the TNIE, Headmistress P Vimala said that the exercise bridges classroom learning with everyday life. “By writing what they hear and speak at home, children not only gain confidence but also expand their vocabulary and knowledge.
It makes learning Tamil natural and joyful,” she said. Further highlighting, Sangeetha, another teacher said, “Around 100 students record the snippets of daily dialogues related to birthday wishes from teachers, festival and travel experiences, or family talks, and then present them in the class.
Teachers then correct their grammar and usage, and guide students to shape informal conversations into structured Tamil sentences. This way they learn language and values.” The teachers believe the simple, low-cost model could be utilised in making Tamil not just a subject, but a lived language for children.
S Sivakumar, an educationist who spearheaded this model at the school, said, “The best learning comes from lived experience and one’s mother tongue. The diary lets the children sense the strength of Tamil in their own lives. It costs nothing, yet connects parents, teachers, and students.”
He also urged this model to be extended to other schools. With their daily performance, teachers evaluate their diaries every month based on language, memory, creativity, and social skills, using a five-point scale.