An insight into the Tamil language alphabet and primary school learners of Tamil: Research essay

Abstract

A key recommendation of the Tamil Language Curriculum & Pedagogy and Review Committee Report released in 2005 was that the Tamil alphabet be taught over a period of 2 years. With the increased emphasis on the use of Spoken Tamil in classroom, it is important that students use oral language as an important starting point. Although spoken language can be written down, written language is largely different from speech. The reading of texts aloud is a bridge between spoken language and reading, because it helps them to understand what written script looks like. Tamil orthography involves 24 7 letters to represent various meaning bearing words. The challenge to students then, becomes the gradual mastery of sub skills such as symbol sound relationships, the recognition of words and later comprehending the text. Several methods can be instrumental in strengthening the student's command of the language, these include, the use phonic, semantic and contextual strategies to develop confidence in word recognition, the fostering of spelling skills and comprehension, appreciating the alphabet, reading alphabet books creating words with alphabet, exploring different kinds of writing the alphabet, recognizing and producing the alphabet through word processing.