A teacher needs to be a performer: Husain

Illustrates how tone, expression and pitch can inculcate a love for reading


Our Correspondent October 01, 2015
Teachers Literature Festival’ held today at Lok Virsa. PHOTO: ONLINE

ISLAMABAD: In an attempt to train teachers to inculcate a love for reading in their students, various enlightening sessions, panel discussions and debates took place at a ‘Teachers Literature Festival’ held today at Lok Virsa.

One of the first sessions was ‘The art of reading with expression’ by acclaimed educationist, Rumana Husain.

Husain revealed new books launched by the Oxford University Press, including feature stories from the lives of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, Akhtar Hameed Khan, and other eminent figures from the country’s history.

She read excerpts from the books, where she highlighted the significance of tone, expression and pitch while reading to students. Her session was an eye opener for many teachers.

“The aim of teaching is not just to convey knowledge, but to ensure that each and every student is intrigued by what is being taught,” she said.

Speaking about the duties and role of a teacher, she said a teacher is much more than just an educator.

“A teacher needs to be a performer, a drama artist and an actor in the class in order to truly gain the attention of students,” Husain said.

Amra Alam, author and editor of Children’s Literature Festival magazine, said it is crucial for teachers to read with expression, to make students understand and love books.



“A teacher who herself reads in a monotone will never be able to teach students the art of expression in reading,” Alam said.

In the following session, Adeel Hashmi, eminent television artist and director, highlighted the significance of teaching students in our own native language.

“When we tell our students to speak in English, we constantly and unconsciously tell them that English is superior to Urdu,” he said.

While discussing effective teaching techniques, Hashmi said it is lessons that are given with love and care that leave a lasting impact.

“Personally, I don’t remember any lesson that I was taught with strictness and anger, but I have not forgotten anything my teachers told me with affection and love,” he recollected.

“The one element that helps students progress in life is a good teacher. The ability to teach is a magic that opens various locks in the minds of students. My request to teachers is to use that well,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2015.

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