Tamil Language and Literature Workshop, specially designed for Malaysian Tamil Teachers, was held at University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur for two days on May 24th to 25th.
This two-day event, organized by the UM Faculty of Languages and Linguistics and Thanjavur University in India, brought together 70 participants, including primary and secondary school teachers, college and university professors, and volunteer educators interested in Tamil literature.
The program delves into the rich tapestry of Tamil literary legacy, focusing on the historical evolution of Tamil literature, going back to the legendary Cankam period before the third century. This era was the pinnacle of Tamil language development, ushering in a wide range of literary forms including as poetry, prose, drama, novels, and short tales.
One of the key goals of this program was to improve Tamil instructors’ educational skills in communicating the essence of Tamil language and literature to their students. Furthermore, the program introduced participants to innovative teaching approaches that make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, with the potential to transform the way Tamil is taught.
Beyond the limits of traditional classroom instruction, the workshop emphasized the importance of Tamil literature in instilling cultural identity and communal togetherness in pupils. Classical Tamil literature, such as Mahadupadatha, were reaffirmed as important not just as linguistic relics but also as guardians of cultural heritage and principles, after being often pushed to the margins.
Teachers were able to establish a sense of pride and ownership over their linguistic heritage by causing a paradigm change in the view of Tamil language study. Recognizing Tamil as more than just a subject of study, but also as a means of social integration and cultural enrichment, instructors were inspired to raise a new generation of Tamil lovers dedicated to the preservation and spread of their language heritage.
The workshop ended with participants feeling a revitalized sense of purpose and determination, ready to begin on their educational path with fresh insights and approaches. As change agents in their communities, these instructors bear the task of instilling a strong respect for Tamil language and literature, safeguarding its long-term legacy for future generations.
Source : RTM Tamil Seithigal
