“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” — Mark Van Doren
The ninth week of my teaching practice, held from 29th September to 4th October 2025, marked the beginning of a new prose lesson “Engine Trouble” by R. K. Narayan. The lesson brought a humorous yet insightful portrayal of human struggles and perseverance, which made it engaging for students. It was also the week where I had the chance to conduct an ICT-integrated lesson, making the class more lively and interactive. The continuity of the lesson across three days helped the learners to understand and appreciate the narrative style of R. K. Narayan in depth.
Day 33 (29th September, 2025)
The week began with the introduction of the prose “Engine Trouble”. I gave a short introduction about the author R. K. Narayan and the background of the story. The class was conducted as an ICT lesson, where I used multimedia presentation slides to visually support the explanation. Students were highly attentive as I read and explained the portion from the beginning up to “gate money alone”. They enjoyed the humor and were curious about what would happen next in the story. The use of ICT helped in making the session more effective and engaging.
Lesson plan 33
Topic: Engine Trouble
Content: Introduction & “There came to our … gate money alone”
Teaching Aids: ICT tools (slides, projector), charts, blackboard
Activity: Write a short note on R. K. Narayan in 3–4 sentences.
Day 34 (3rd October, 2025)
On this day, I continued with the lesson “Engine Trouble”. The focus was on the section “Gaiety land provided … at short notice”. I explained the challenges faced by the narrator in dealing with the unexpected prize, highlighting the humor and irony. Students responded actively, connecting the struggles in the story with real-life situations where luck often brings responsibility. Group discussion activities allowed them to share personal experiences of handling sudden difficulties, which made the class more relatable.
Lesson plan 34
Topic: Engine Trouble
Content: “Gaiety land provided … at short notice”
Teaching Aids: Charts, flashcards, blackboard
Activity: Write 3–4 sentences about a funny or unexpected incident in your life.
Day 35 (4th October, 2025)
The day was dedicated to the next continuation of the story, covering “I asked the showman … latest acquisition”. Students listened with keen interest as the narrator’s troubles deepened. They were amused by the humor and irony in the passage. I guided them through vocabulary explanations and comprehension tasks, encouraging them to identify the author’s style of blending humor with reality. By the end of the session, students could clearly articulate how R. K. Narayan uses simple narratives to bring out deeper meanings.
Lesson plan 35
Topic: Engine Trouble
Content: “I asked the showman … latest acquisition”
Teaching Aids: Charts, blackboard, activity cards
Activity: Write 4–5 sentences on “What qualities help us face unexpected challenges?”
Conclusion
The ninth week of teaching practice introduced a new dimension of learning with the lesson “Engine Trouble” by R. K. Narayan. The humor and irony in the story captivated the students, while the ICT-based session on the first day made the learning process dynamic and engaging. The continuation of the story across the week allowed for deeper understanding and reflection. Students participated actively in discussions and activities, sharing their own perspectives on unexpected challenges. The week not only strengthened my teaching practice but also helped me refine the integration of ICT and interactive strategies in the classroom.
