Episode 12: Understanding CPD and Classroom Management Why is Continuous Professional Development (CPD) important? How can we retain good teachers in the classrooms? Can you look at your large classroom as an opportunity? And how soon should we introduce English in our schools? Teacher Plus met with Rod Bolitho, Academic Director at Norwich Institute for Language Education, and Prof. Geetha Durairajan, Professor, Department of Testing and Evaluation, EFL University, Hyderabad for the answers. Episode 11: Tackling learning difficulties These days we are more aware of the learning disabilities that some children may have. We know the different names and to a certain extent what these difficulties are. But how aware are we of learning difficulties in children in our own classes? As teachers how aware should we be of these issues that our students maybe facing? Do we need to be professionally trained to spot learning difficulties or can we look out for certain signs that children with learning difficulties may give away? Once we realize that a certain child maybe facing a problem, are there ways in which we can make the learning process easier for them to the extent that we can as teachers? How do we help? Seetha Anand, Early childhood curriculum developer and Remedial therapist tells teachers of the simple steps they can take to identify and then help children with learning problems. Episode 10: Creating conducive environments for primary school Primary school teachers or caregivers who handle children between the 0-6 age group perhaps have the toughest jobs. These years are extremely crucial in the life of a child; the ‘formative’ years when they are growing both physically and mentally. So how do you take care of these children? Can you teach them? Is the practice of introducing academic learning (including ABC and the numbers) at such a young age advisable? How do our regular practices impact children? How do we improve our skills to take care of them better so that they grow up learning and curious and not stressed? Seetha Anand, Early childhood curriculum developer and Remedial therapist talks to Teaching and Learning Moments with Teacher Plus. Episode 9: Staying motivated Motivation is the most important element that should be part of every teacher’s make up. A demotivated teachers means disinterested students. There will be no learning in the classroom. But then year after year when you have to teach the same textbooks to students who maybe difficult, unwilling, and unruly how does one stay motivated? A teacher