Daffodil International University

Faculty of Humanities and Social Science => English => Topic started by: shibli on April 05, 2010, 03:47:39 PM

Title: English language skill
Post by: shibli on April 05, 2010, 03:47:39 PM
The English language skill of admission seekers is very poor. After successful completion of 12 years of schooling, they don't know the translation in English "se vaat khay" "ami Daffodil e porte chai."  I asked one of the candidates "please tell me five sentences about yourself."   He replied, My name is......., my father name is......., my mother name is ......., my brother name is ........, my sister name is .......

Please suggest me what to do with them and how to motivate them. I am still very positive. If we, the teachers work hard, we can improve their English language skill.....  
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: md on April 05, 2010, 08:59:19 PM
We should declare one day of the week  only for English speaking day.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 06, 2010, 02:00:46 PM
Sir,

I think the major problem is the students don't wants to speak in English, during the class time they also speak in Bangla. If we look at the top rated universities, we can see that their class runs in English. In our university, most of the time students feel shy, they think if s/he can't speak in proper, his/her friends will laugh at him/her. I think we have to change this position. We have to give courage our friends to speak in English, whatever it is right or wrong. In this way we can minimize our mistake and one day we can improve ourself that time hope we will not make any mistake. I know our all the teachers always try and encourage the students to feel free and speak in English. As a student I think, this is our fault. Our teachers giving the way to speak in English freely. But we are not taking this opportunity, as a result we are lagging behind. If all the teachers make mandatory that the students have to speak in English inside the class as well as inside the university, hope day by day we can over come this problem.


Thanks
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 06, 2010, 03:19:30 PM
I do agree with Debashish that even in English class sometimes we the teachers have to talk in Bangla otherwise some of our students can not understand.I think counseling hours can be utilised to solve this problem.We can determine to talk everything in English inside class but we can instruct the students to meet us during counseling hour if they have any inquiry regarding the class.In this way the class can be taken by only one media- English.At the same time we have to motivate the weaker and shy students to talk in English when they will meet us personally.Gradually they will be able to come out from their introvert self and will begin to talk in English.I myself have applied this tecnique and found positive results.

Wish you all the best.

Shamsi
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 06, 2010, 05:02:46 PM
Thank you mam
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 06, 2010, 06:46:08 PM
Sir/Mam,

First of all we the students, we have to change our poor mind. Because I have some friends they think, they are not good student, they are not good in English so they can't learn through English lecture and can't speak in English. It is very difficult for them. But my question is to that friends that we had three English courses, in that time our all the teachers specially English teachers' said to do practice, but why didn't they did that time? Now they are facing problems, as well as in job place also. From my side I think to learn English we have to do practice, without practice we can't achieve anything. We have to listen English, we have to read English books, newspapers, etc and try to speak English.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 07, 2010, 12:58:55 PM
Well done, Debashish.Carry on. I think you should also try to motivate your friends when you meet them.You can also lend them your personal materials.You can also make an English speaking group with your friends as well.


Wish you all the best.

Shamsi
Department of English
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 07, 2010, 01:25:39 PM
Thank you mam. Please pray for me.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 08, 2010, 05:51:19 PM
Definitely my students are always in my prayers.I always try my best to improve my students' English Language Skill.With whatever I come across,I think to utilise it as a material in my language class.When a student achieves his/her goal before a teacher,the teacher becomes happier than anyone else.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: kulsum on April 10, 2010, 04:46:03 PM
Dear Shibli Sir,
I am really worried like you about the admission seekers and also our existing students regarding their english proficiency.

What about Foundation Classes? Can't we make a comprehensive syllabus for FC course that  will focus more on basic structure of sentence.

I, time and again asked for offering  seperate remedial courses like other universities inaddition to our 3 basic courses. A Student must pass a minimum level for going to the next level and untill that he/she has to take remedial.

Await your opinion.

Best regards,
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: kulsum on April 10, 2010, 04:55:09 PM
Dear Debashish,

Thank you for coming up with your ideas.

Sounds good that you realized. Plz make a fan club of english and motivate others to join and write in this forum. Come up with more ideas from your part...we are always with you.

All good wishes

Umme Kulsum

Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shibli on April 10, 2010, 05:44:22 PM
To UK madam
I completely agree with UK madam that a student must pass a minimum level for going to English1 and the foundation course (FC) has to be comprehensive and compulsory.

But it might take some time to implement as our admission goes on for months together. But one thing we can do. We can offer a separate foundation course for those who are too weak to go to English 1 level and that course should be one semester course with specific number of students because students of FC course keep on increasing until the semester classes start.  Also, since this is a non-credit course, all students don't like to do it. Most importantly, we, the teachers should give pass-marks to only those students who deserve to go to the next level. 

However, i always keep my finger crossed as i think the day is Not far off when students will queue up for admission at DIU but we cannot take them all. I look forward to that day. 

Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shibli on April 10, 2010, 05:44:35 PM
To Shamsi

I personally know you are one of the sincerest teachers of DIU. Keep your hard work and honest spirit always up! May Allah as well as the authority reward you for your relentless efforts, ameen 
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 10, 2010, 08:10:22 PM
Thank you mam, I will try my best. I will also try to motive my all friends as well as others. Mam, could you please tell me how can I make this fan club? I am really interested to make this kind of club.



Thank you
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: kulsum on April 11, 2010, 01:54:37 PM
Dear Debashish,

This club can be of english loving group among students who feel the importance of english like you. If you want to be the organizer you simply talk with your friends in your as usual adda and pick the interested people whom you want around. Then make a call for members through a notice/poster, fix a date, sit and discuss what you want.You can do everything in English. it's not a huge task but you have to be motivated 100%. You will do nothing only talk and talk and talk in english about any topic may be about cricket, cinema, DIU affair anything that you do in your adda just do it in English.Try to take one or two students from any batch /dept who are better in speaking,so that they might help you in improving. 

It's easy and simple ...just start and keep going....

Best of Luck

Umme Kulsum
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 11, 2010, 03:46:39 PM
Thank you so much mam. I will try my best to do it.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: kulsum on April 12, 2010, 02:17:06 PM
To Shibli sir,

Yes, this is what i mean.

 We can also arrange a placement test for knowing their levels. Before FC there can be a course. And another point, when a student of ENG 1 fails, what does s/ he do?Does s/he always take the whole course as retake? No; rather s/he only sits for the exam only(improvement) along with the pressure of his existing semester.That's why s/she does not get the scope to improve actually.I think we can target this situation, and offer a remedial course for eng 1 untill s/he passes. The same procedure can be done for the other two levels  as well and finally before passing out a 'Package course' from CDC. I think gradually if the system is developed we can get 'GOOD GRADUATES' that we dream for!

Opine and enlight!

I am also an optimistic like you who believes in Allah and His power.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shibli on April 12, 2010, 02:41:40 PM
totally agreed with Uk madam.

To debashish

Where r you? You are supposed to be in the UK? If you are at DIU, please meet me on the third floor at Prince Plaza.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 12, 2010, 03:54:26 PM
To Debashish

I appritiate your honest endeavour.I think UK madam's instruction will help you a lot to succeed.To do so,you need not spend a lot of money.You can make hand written posters and invite the interested students to join your club.I am sure there are lot of people who are really interested.I can help you by providing members who are strong in English.They can help the weaker ones with their feedbacks.And you know we learn more easily from our peers than our teachers.If you need any help,just let me know.

Hope to have your posters soon.

Shamsi Miss.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 12, 2010, 04:10:04 PM
To Shibli Sir and UK Madam

Thank you Shibli sir for your nice complements.UK madam has discussed about remedial courses number of times in a number of meetings.And you know a number of private universities do have remedial courses.To implement it,we need to take placement tests.If we really mean to improve our students' English proficiency,we have no other option.As we have a well-equipped language laboratory,I don't think that we would have any accommodation problem.So,lets think about it  immediately.

Shamsi
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 12, 2010, 05:27:02 PM
Sir,

I was in the UK but now in Bangladesh. Ok sir, I'll meet with you very soon.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 12, 2010, 06:00:24 PM
Mam, I am really greatful to you all. I think its like a challenge. I hope I'll get help from all of you and obviously I'll take that help. This is not only help, it is a big opportunity for us. All your guidelines and instructions will help us to meet the challenge. And mam, you said "you know we learn more easily from our peers than our teachers" I liked this. Your this concept will be very effective to achieve our goal. Mam, soon you'll see our posters. Once again, I am really really greatful to you all.


Thank you.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 13, 2010, 09:42:22 AM
To Debashish

Its my pleasure that you liked my comment.I am really honored to have such an enthusiastic student like you who is not afraid of hardwork.People like you have a lot to contribute to our country's prosperity.

I wish you all the best.

Shamsi Miss.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 13, 2010, 08:47:46 PM
Thank you mam.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: shamsi on April 15, 2010, 05:57:34 PM
To Debashish

Thanks for meeting me today.First circulate the news that you are going to form a fan club.After forming it, we can arrange topic based discussion.I have already talked with some senior students who are ready to help you.After forming the club and having some sittings,I can also arrange a session on pronunciation as you asked.

I wish you all the best.

Shamsi Miss.
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 17, 2010, 08:10:30 AM
Tips to Speak English Fluently :


English is one of the most difficult languages in the world. Even native speakers are regularly confounded by rules of grammar and regional dialects. For example, in the United States it would not be unusual for those born and raised in different parts of the country to find it difficult to understand each other because the local cultures use distinct phrases and pronunciations to express themselves. It comes as no surprise, then, to find many people who are in the process of learning English as a second language struggling to speak fluently.


Conversation
The most important thing an English student can to do improve their speaking ability is to practice. Approaching a native English speaker and attempting to have a conversation with them can be scary for a person who is still in the process of learning the language. You may fear being made fun of or accidentally saying something insulting. It is necessary to overcome this sort of fear if you genuinely want to improve. Look for someone with a friendly, smiling face and simply start by greeting them and asking if they mind helping you practice for a little while.


Listening
Once you have started a conversation with a native speaker, pay attention to their pronunciation. Listen to the order of the words they use when responding. Collect as many useful phrases from each conversation as you can. If you find they are speaking too fast or if you are having difficulty understanding what is being said, ask them to slow down. Many native English speakers will openly admit to speaking at a very rapid rate. No matter what topic the conversation turns to, ask questions. If questions are asked of you do your best to respond quickly, without worrying about the answer being 'right'.


Reading
Many people who are studying English find their reading ability to be much higher than their speaking ability. This is primarily because the reader is able to control the speed of the flow of words, pausing when necessary to process new words or phrases. Choose material that you find interesting and be sure to keep a dictionary nearby. For those who do not enjoy reading, movies in English are widely available. Movies serve a similar purpose as they allow the person watching to gain a feel for the natural tones and flow of a conversation. Like books, movies can be paused, if necessary, while the viewer consults a dictionary.


Thinking
Once you have surrounded yourself with English resources and are using them on a daily basis, you must try to stop thinking in your native tongue. In the early stages of learning English, people think of what they want to say in their first language, translate the thought into English and then speak. This is time consuming, mentally exhausting, and frequently incorrect. With practice, many responses will become automatic, such as saying, "I'm fine, thank you," in response to the common question, "How are you today?"


http://www.ehow.com/way_5244044_tips-speak-english-fluently.html



Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: debashish on April 17, 2010, 08:16:07 AM
Mam, thank you. Now, I just waiting to get some colorful posters in my hand. Then I thinking that I'll go for announcement whole university.

Thankyou
Title: Re: English language skill
Post by: toma on April 21, 2010, 02:46:01 PM
Dear All,
I think, in this regard , our new step of observing Wednesday and Thursday as English-days on campus is a great boon.
But I believe, everyday should  be English-day. Hope you will also agree with me. Because, my observation is that, students are still reluctant in speaking English in or/and out side class.