Bridging the language and communication gap in rural schools

Language and communication gap (LCG) is a barrier to the ability to understand and/or use words in context, both verbally and non-verbally. Some characteristics of LCG are due to the inadequate vocabulary; improper use of words; inability to follow directions; and use of inappropriate grammatical patterns due to local influences on speech.

In rural and tribal areas, where the home language and the school language differ, one or more of the combinations of these characteristics may occur among children.

Unless attended to, children may hear or see words but may not be able to understand their meaning. Both teachers and children may have trouble in getting one others to understand what they are trying to communicate.

Keeping this in view, an intervention cum action research was undertaken by the investigator to bridge the gap between the home and school language by reviving the folk songs and padding strategy to build the functional vocabulary in school language for the school entrants before introducing the language textbook.

It found that the reactions of the children (N=20, age : 5- 7 years) and their parents (N=35) were significantly positive (p<0.05, d.f. = 2) when interpreted through chi-square analysis. Five children's folk songs were used and sight vocabulary of ten words was developed through padding strategy for the experiment. The transitional intervention lasted for 2 weeks with forty minutes session each day.

Keywords: Communication gap, home language, school language