Inauguration Of ‘Bookwormz’

The School of Liberal Arts and Applied Sciences, Department of Languages inaugurated Students Reading Club ‘BookWormz’ and ELTAI Kancheepuram Students Chapter, HITS on 26 November 2021. Ms. Rebecca Rawnson, Senior Academic Manager, Schools English & Skills – British Council, India presided over as the Chief Guest and inaugurated the Reading Club ‘BookWormz’ at HITS. Dr. D. Praveen Sam, Coordinator, Online Publication ELTAI, Dept of English, SSN College of Engineering was the resource person and inaugurated ELTAI Students Chapter of HITS. The event was hosted by Ms. Ruby Roy, I year MA English.

Dr. Sherine Joy, HoD, Languages and President, ELTAI Kanchipuram Chapter accorded a warm and cordial welcome to everyone. She introduced the guests and also informed that the event was hosted in order to inculcate and promote reading habit; and also highlighted the importance of reading club and ELTAI Kancheepuram Students Chapter in HITS. She also informed that Dept. of Languages has left no stone unturned to involve students in competitions conducted by the department and exposure of students not only within the institution but also encouraging them to participate in international events.

Mr. Manikandaboopathy, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages, briefed about ELTAI Kancheepuram Chapter, HITS and the events and competitions conducted during the pandemic times. He also announced that students have joined the ELTAI Kancheepuram Students Chapter and welcomed more students to join and strengthen the professional body. Dr. H. Marie Evangeline, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages, and the Coordinator of the event, briefly apprised about the importance and activities of the reading club, ‘BookWormZ’ at HITS and encouraged students to join them.

Ms. Rebecca Rawnson, in her special address, emphasized on the importance and benefits on developing the habit of reading. Reflecting upon why to read, what to read and how to read, she insisted that reading must be done for pleasure. Ms. Rebecca extended her invite for the students to visit the British Council Library.

Dr. D. Praveen Sam, delivered a lecture on “Extensive and Intensive Reading Strategies” wherein he explained about extensive and intensive reading using skimming and scanning techniques and various stages involved. Further he elaborated on how the eye movements go during reading and how it can be trained to read quickly and effectively. Dr. Sam concluded by suggesting few tips to strengthen the Reading Club and many activities that can be incorporated in the reading club, such as: Creating a reading list, Reviewing of books and discussion on the major themes, Reading for academic purposes, Reading for life, Reading stalls, Library visits, and Conducting surveys among non-readers.

Winners of "Creative Weave Competition" themed "Reinventing Oneself in Pandemic Times" organized by the Dept. of Languages for BA English students in Chennai as part of the colleges connect programme during October 2021 were acknowledged with Certificates during the event.