8 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : For many students, speaking English in front of others can be more intimidating than learning the language itself. At the School of Eminence, Ladowali Road, Jalandhar, English teacher Chander Shekhar is helping students overcome that hesitation through regular speaking activities and confidence-building exercises.
His efforts to strengthen students’ spoken English and communication skills have earned him the Sant Bhagwant Singh Teacher Award.
From Classroom Grammar to Real Conversations
Instead of limiting English lessons to textbooks and grammar exercises, Shekhar encourages students to actually use the language.
Regular speaking activities, interactive exercises and student-centred teaching form an important part of his classroom approach.
The focus is not simply on grammatical accuracy but on helping students become comfortable expressing themselves in English.
Building Confidence Through Practice
Shekhar also conducts additional classes and provides individual guidance to students who struggle with English or lack confidence while speaking.
The approach gives students repeated opportunities to practise, helping reduce the fear of making mistakes in front of classmates.
Over time, students who were initially reluctant to frame even a simple sentence can become more willing to participate in classroom discussions.
Communication Beyond Academic Marks
According to Shekhar, a teacher’s responsibility goes beyond imparting academic knowledge.
He believes education should also contribute to students’ confidence, personality, values and positive attitude.
Spoken-English activities therefore become part of a broader effort to prepare students for higher education and future opportunities.
Role Beyond the Classroom
Shekhar has also served as a State Resource Person (English) with the Punjab Education Department.
In that role, he has worked on innovative Teaching Learning Material (TLM) for teachers and students, with the aim of making English lessons more engaging and encouraging classroom participation.
Sant Bhagwant Singh Teacher Award
His contribution was recognised with the Sant Bhagwant Singh Teacher Award, presented on Teachers’ Day by Dr Sushma Chawla, president of the Jalandhar Welfare Society, and Surinder Saini, secretary of the society.
The programme was presided over by School of Eminence Principal Dr Yogesh Kumar, who congratulated Shekhar for his contribution to students’ development.
Creating Confident Communicators
The initiative highlights the importance of practical language learning in schools.
For students who may understand English but hesitate to speak it, regular conversation practice can help bridge the gap between knowing a language and confidently using it.
Shekhar’s classroom approach demonstrates how teachers can make communication skills a regular part of everyday learning rather than treating spoken English as a separate activity.
Preparing Students for the Future
English communication can be valuable for students pursuing higher education, professional courses and employment opportunities.
By encouraging students to speak without fear of making mistakes, the teacher is helping them develop a skill that extends beyond the classroom.
A Teacher’s Wider Role
The recognition also reflects a broader understanding of a teacher’s role in shaping students.
Beyond academic achievement, building confidence and encouraging positive participation can influence how young people approach future challenges.