Teaching English
I have read Ms Angela Robinson's letter on the above subject wherein she made an assessment on the significance of or the urgent need for extra training for the teachers of English and some practical obstacles thereof. I am not fully certain if her objectives were only for the teachers of English medium schools. I support the idea of grounding or exercise of instruction for all who are concerned.
Nevertheless, it seems Ms Robinson did not ponder on some of the far-reaching features.
It is imperative that the teacher should constantly keep in mind the aim of teaching English, for it would help him to evaluate his pupil's standard of achievement in the subject and to avoid misuse of time and energy. The teacher who is aware of the aim of his work is in a better position than one who teaches aimlessly, to concentrate on the definite goal he expects his pupil to reach within the limited time.
As regard the standard of speaking English, it can be said that the pupil must acquire the ability to speak simple modern English with ease and facility. To achieve it he must have a good vocabulary at his disposal, pronounce words, phrases and sentences intelligibly, and make the best use of intonation pattern. Since the teacher is the only model available to him for imitation, he should acquire these powers of speech by paying minute attention to what his teacher says in the classroom. The effective method or technique of teaching is undeniable.
The learner should also be able to read with comprehension English books.
Lastly, he should be able to write letters to friends, relatives, businessmen and officials. He is also expected to express what he thinks, feels and imagines, and to describe commonplace events of daily life.
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