Sports and language integration skill development

Abstract

Learning to play and learning to communicate in a language are different skills to be acquired through various stages in a cycle. However, the stages in learning to communicate and the stages in the process of becoming skillful in a particular game are similar. This paper studies the nature of the stages of learning and suggests the possibility of doing both at the same time. Physical activities advance students' capability and confidence to take part in a variety of guided or unguided undertakings that become essential to their life, both within and outside of school. Apart from developing sporting skills, physical activities also demand and develop various other associated skills. Indulging in sports and games stands as one the most important avenues for developing these skills. This study aims at establishing the possibility of making optimum use of sports for enhancing and monitoring both sporting and communication skills. The study is based on the hypotheses that communication skills can be developed, monitored and assessed with the help of physical activities and vice versa and that inter disciplinary learning can be achieved in classrooms through physical activities; and that the physical and communicative skills of students can be successfully monitored and assessed through a systematic and integrated curriculum plan and implementation approach. The study methodology is based on observation and case study with focus groups involving school students. The significance and uniqueness of the study lies in the fact that it discloses the prospect of fostering communication and associated skills in children through sports; and also of bringing teachers of different subjects together to offer integrated instructions through physical activities and movements. Additionally, this research will contribute to the teaching and learning process pinned on physical activities to minimize boredom and maximize learning among children of all ages.