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HELP University Students and Lecturers Visit Taarana School

13/07/2022

Taarana not only focuses on an individual’s academic learning but develops their independence and social interaction skills. The various forms of instruction the school carries out are extraordinary.

Taarana School recently welcomed a group of students and lecturers from HELP University in a visit aimed at helping the undergraduates gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of special education needs (SEN).

The group of 25 students – Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) majors – were accompanied by two senior lecturers from the Faculty of Education and Languages. They were early childhood education specialist Revati Ramakrishnan and English Department senior lecturer Nyidhyaa Vinodhan.

The institute organised the tour to help the scholars gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for SEN and the role of special needs educators.

The visit presented the students with a unique experience. “They came away with a better understanding of the processes and the enormous efforts it takes to manage a school like Taarana,” Revati said.

They also had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with Taarana’s teaching resources, delving a little deeper into the use of English in these materials. The group also had the chance to observe some classes and the practices employed by the teachers and therapists.

Revati commended Taarana for its well-designed programmes for various special needs.

“Should some from our group decide to teach after graduation, today’s experience gave them a glimpse of what SEN entails and what it takes to teach special needs children – whether in an inclusive setting or a special class.

“The methods and materials used by Taarana relate to the undergrads’ major in developing language modules that could also apply to special needs instruction in the future,” the SEN module instructor added.

The visit presented Nyidhyaa with great insights into Taarana’s programmes. “I come from a traditional teacher training background, so this visit proved to be a revelation to me,” she said.

“Taarana not only focuses on an individual’s academic learning but develops their independence and social interaction skills. The various forms of instruction the school carries out, including learning materials, classroom designs, and the teaching resources, are extraordinary.”

Taarana Principal Dr Sunitha Sivakumaran appreciated the group’s recognition of Taarana’s distinctive holistic programmes culminating in each child’s unique abilities, intellect, and continuous efforts to ensure they realise their fullest potential.

“With holistic programmes, each Taarana child’s physical, social, cognitive and emotional growth comes into focus and provides a supportive, positive learning environment.

“We constantly emphasise that children with special education needs are not slow learners or less intelligent. On the contrary, they are as intelligent as their typical peers. The only difference is that they need to learn differently,” Dr Sunitha explained.