Keen to upskill, 8 blind girls learn basic German Rucha Limaye / TNN / Updated: Nov 29, 2021, 17:55 IST PUNE: Eight visually challenged girls have cleared the A1 certification exam (first level) in German language from the Goethe Institute-Max Mueller Bhavan, Pune.Shravani Nandwadekar from Kolhapur, Vaibhavi Gavli from Dehu, Akshada Muthe and Monica Bhalerav from Aurangabad, Pooja Raykar from Uruli Devachi, Chaitrali Gayakwad from Osmanabad, Kaveri Khairnar from Kondhapuri, and Pradnya Gaware from Ahmednagar, battled odds to learn the language. All eight are students of the National Federation of Blind, Maharashtra’s Jagriti School for Blind Girls, and marked their achievement in one go.“It started with a vision of learning a foreign language – a skill that they enjoyed, which could also give them a good career opportunity,” Aarti Takawane, the teacher who proposed the foreign language course in the curriculum, said.
They began with online classes twice a week, but without a hands-on learning in German Braille. “They showed keen interest and dedication and picked up the language. Within eight months, they were ready to take the A1 certification examination. We coordinated with Max Mueller Bhavan and the staff was supportive,” German teacher Shailaja Rege said.Conducting the A1 exam for these girls was an experience. “We were amazed by the enthusiasm and confidence,” Sonal Atre, examination in-charge at Goethe Institute, said.The exam date was on October 30, the day the MSRTC strike began. Some examinees came from villages and public bus transport was the only option to reach the centre on Boat Club Road in Pune.“We were worried about making it on time for the exam. I am in Std X and it was very difficult to study the regular syllabus along with a foreign language. But, our teachers helped us space the studies. We did not want everyone’s efforts to go in vain,” Shravani, one of the students, said.Everyone was brought together and a private car was arranged. At the centre, the exam paper was in German Braille, which confused the girls. After some initial setback, they managed to read the paper and respond. All eight girls are now set to study A2 level. “I have started receiving calls from other blind schools across India for mentoring students. Our second batch includes four boys from the Bhosari Blind School,” Takawane said. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/keen-to-upskill-8-blind-girls-learn-basic-german/articleshow/87968758.cms -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to accessindia+unsubscr...@accessindia.org.in. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CALLUjUYze9fffWkrzjNpB765sQbsrHe%2B6bqDdJm0kcTVop3rrQ%40mail.gmail.com.
