Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 52

Issue 8 : Tertiary Level Education of Tamil Language Recommendation 2 – Bring in drama and arts into curriculum • The tertiary modules could have script-writing, acting and song-writing components. Drama groups can be welcomed to share their experience and conduct some of the lessons. • Opportunity could be presented to the students to find out about the subject of interest themselves. Focus on exams can be lowered. Alternative ways of examining can be explored. • More emphasise should be placed on speaking rather than writing since they are quite different and getting more people to speak the language well is more important in sustaining the language. Hence a more balanced and practical approach is needed. • Debates and discussions on taboo topics can be conducted. People don't usually talk about taboo topics, Indians less so. The students can learn debate techniques as well. • Therukoothu or other contemporary art forms can also create interest in Tertiary Level Tamil. Recommendation 3 – Improve branding • To entice students to take up Tamil in University, the subjects being taught needs to be more relatable. It has to be marketed and publicised well. Give the youths what they want, and at the same time, you insert some aspects of grand history and grand culture. • In the current dynamic world, associating a degree with its career prospects is wrong. There must be more focus on applicable skills. Increase awareness and promote Tamil studies using examples of Tamil Studies graduates who are successful or doing jobs that are not related to the Tamil language. At the same time, there can be publicity to increased awareness on the job opportunities in Tamil language related fields. • For BA Literature, instead of focusing on the content, focus on the soft skills instead. This would make the graduates more employable, encouraging more to take up Tamil Studies. Recommendation 4: Tamil studies in English • Tamil studies module can be conducted in English. This will interest more people to take up the course, especially those who have fear of reading and writing Tamil but are interested to know more about the Tamil culture. • Non- Tamils will be attracted to read this module if it is packaged and promoted well. Issue 8 : Tertiary Level Education of Tamil Language PAGE 52