Coordinator: Prof Urmila Pillay

‘expressions’ is an informal group floated in the summer of 2004.
Effective Communication skills are a vital component for a student’s progress and growth in today’s world. Considering the educational and family background of our students and teachers own interaction with them, a strong need was felt to ‘work’ on their communication skills.
This group, a voluntary initiative by teachers, has the following objectives-

• Develop general communication skills.
• Inculcate reading habits.
• Cultivate debating skills.
• Encourage students to form opinions and articulate their point of view.

Major thrust areas-

1. To ‘work’ on the communication skills of the low profile, hesitant students usually the ‘first time speakers’. They are encouraged, coaxed to come forward and interact in a small group. The aim is to emphasize that they can be afraid, nervous, can goof up but do it ‘any way’. After a few attempts, they can be ‘more relaxed’ speakers.
2. To prepare & train selected students to represent the college in intercollegiate / university level debate and elocution competitions. Both the aspects- content preparation & delivery are worked upon. Student’s performance during rehearsals is recorded then played back , feedback is given , helping them to improvise.
3. To inculcate a love for ‘good reading’ amongst students. The ‘Reading sessions’ arranged by expressions is an attempt in this direction. Each student can share/read a poem, a passage, an extract from a book / article / interview, a newspaper editorial, random thoughts on any issue with the remaining students.

The functioning of the group is pretty informal, as of now. It is expected, that, in future, few students who’ve received training under ‘expressions’ can take up leadership roles.

The inaugural year witnessed several discussions with students on several topics. Jatin Sharma did a remarkable feat of spreading the excitement of having ‘intelligent’ discussions. 2005-07 saw a few classroom discussions & no formal sessions. 2007-08 saw the group bouncing back with renewed vigour.

Teacher facilitators for the group are Urmila Pillay(Dept of mathematics), Prashant Kelkar(Dept of Political Science), Dr Neena Vinod(Dept of Chemistry), Dr Samuel Wesley(Dept of History)

Blueprint for future –

1. To strengthen and consolidate the existing activities especially ‘Reading sessions’ which can eventually lead to a culture of healthy discussions and quality debates amongst the youngsters in the college.
2. Build a ‘knowledge bank’ – a collection of magazine articles, newspaper editorials, CD’s etc on a wide range of topics and allow open access from library to all the students.
3. Specific programs for Curriculum Vitae writing, interviews skills.
4. Seek the services of a language lab where students can enhance their language skills using language learning CD’s ,sound recording and playback , at their own pace.

Activities organized by ‘expressions’