Why Change Frequents?

Why change frequents?

Before doing anything, we require well revised plans. Otherwise, we cannot perform the job properly and most often it ends in smoke. Yes, I’m talking about the frequent change of text books and question patters of high and higher secondary levels in Bangladesh. Ok, it is often said that change implies development. But what type of development is it? Aren’t we trying to draw a picture of a person without a head? This type of foolish activities may lead the learners to nothingness. To be particular, between June and July, 2015 the teachers along with students of HSC got ‘English for Today’ without any guideline for question patter although the guideline was published on the 10^th September, 2015.

Besides, there a new item, critical appreciation of a story and poem, has been introduced there and this is undoubtedly an excellent approach for the betterment of the language skills of the learners, but it said there that this part was made unseen and the allotted marks of it are eight. My question is: Why has it been made unseen? The item reminds me the common saying: “Easy to say but difficult to do!” Why don’t we look around and why aren’t we practical? We all know that to appreciate a literary composition is not an easy cake. It is really difficult even for teachers, let alone HSC students. We normally have to study a lot to figure out the meaning of a seen poem or a short story before entering the class. Are we putting overload on the learners?

My suggestion for it is that stories and poems either can be set from the textbook or from a book specially made for this level. The book must contain the most famous writings. If it is done, students will feel encouraged to learn English. We must remember: “Nothing comes out of nothing.” 

NOTE

Md. Saiful Alam

B. A. Honours and M. A. in English

Lecturer in English

Queen’s College

E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

An Inspiring Passage for the Fresh Leaners of English

Two friends, Raghib and Adeeb, wanted to learn how to ride a bicycle, Adeeb bought a book called "How to Ride a cycle" and started reading it. On the other hand, Raghib took out his bicycle on the street and started trying to ride it. He fell off several times and Adeeb laughed at him. However, by the time Adeeb finished the first chapter of his book, Raghib was riding his cycle fairly well. Adeeb knew how the cycle worked but did not know how to use it from first-hand experience. Learning a language is like riding a cycle. The most important thing about any language is communication. You learn to communicate effectively by using a language, by doing things with it and by experiencing it. You can learn English in the same way that Raghib learnt to ride a cycle. Don't worry if people laugh at you when you make mistakes. You can certainly learn through mistakes.

1. You can learn to listen only by listening. 

2. You can learn to speak only by speaking.

3. You can learn to read only by reading.  

4. You can learn to write only by writing.

Kazi Nazrul Islam

Kazi Nazrul Islam

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on the 25^th May in 1899. He is popularly known as a rebel poet. He was the first to make poems talking about intense spiritual fight against all types of social oppression. Nazrul is the national poet of Bangladesh. He is also remembered in India. He was born into a Muslim family in India, Nazrul received religious education. He worked as a muezzin at a local mosque. He learned of poetry, drama, and literature while working with theatrical groups. After being in the British Indian Army, Nazrul made himself a journalist in Kolkata. He was against the British Raj in India. He talked about revolution through his writings. Some examples are Bidrohi in 1922 which remains his most famous work, Agni Bina in 1922, Bisher Bashi in 1924 as well as his publication Dhumketu in 1961. 

His work in the Indian Independence Movement often led to going to jail by British authorities. While in prison, Nazrul wrote the "Rajbandir Jabanbandi". Nazrul's writings are about themes such as love, freedom, and revolution. He was against all bigotry, including religious and gender. Throughout his career, Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best known for his poems. He started new forms such as Bangla ghazals. Nazrul wrote and composed music for his nearly 4,000 songs. In 1942 when he was 43 years old, he began to suffering from an unknown disease. He was losing his voice and memory. It is often said, the reason was slow poisoning by British Government. He lived alone for many years. Invited by the Government of Bangladesh, Nazrul and his family moved to Dhaka in 1972. He died four years later on the 29^th August in 1976.

 Md. Saiful Alam

B. A. Honours and M. A. in English

Lecturer in English

Queen’s College, Dhaka

E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

 My Affectionate Readers,

Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much. Moreover, any correction or suggestion regarding my writings will be largely appreciated and valued and you can ask me any grammatical questions regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.

Paragraph: How to Learn English Well

Story: A Liar Cowboy

A Liar Cowboy

Once there lived a cowboy in a village and he used to tell lies. He often made the villagers foolish by telling lies. At one afternoon, he was grazing (চরানো) his cattle (গরু-ছাগল) in a near-by field. The field was near a deep forest and there lived wild animals in the forest. Suddenly (হঠাৎ), he cried out saying (চিৎকার করে বলে উঠলো) “Help! Help! Tiger! Tiger!” But actually, there was no tiger. He said that to make the villagers foolish. On hearing the shout of him (তার চিৎকর শুনে), villagers came out to save him. But he laughed (হেসে উঠলো) saying that there was no tiger. I made fun. He did the same thing three times to fool (বোকা বানানো) the villagers. Another day he went to the field with his cattle and it was almost evening. On the day a tiger attacked (অক্রমন করলো)him and his cattle. At that time, he was crying out saying “Tiger! Tiger!” but nobody came to save him. People thought that he was making fun too. He lost his life on the day because of telling a lie.

Moral of the Story:

We should remember that we should never tell a lie because nobody believes a liar.

Md. Saiful Alam

B. A. Honours, BEd (1st Class) and M. A. in English

Assistant Teacher of English 

Machkhola Secondary School, Satkhira

 E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

Dear readers, 

Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much. Moreover, any correction or suggestion regarding my writings will be largely appreciated and valued and you can ask me any grammatical questions regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.

Proper Treatment of Bangaladesh

>>Hapless Bangladesh, help her!<<

Bangladesh at her 45 looks shabbier than her age as she is diagnosed with fatal maladies that require treatment but there is hardly any doctor who came forward to provide proper and prompt treatment or any nurse who can nourish her to recovery. Each and every one is saying that she needs treatment but nobody has come forward to help her. How selfish and materialistic we are not to assist her in danger! She is crying, sobbing, weeping and groaning with her ceaseless pain but her sons and daughters are blind-folded in a way that they hardly think of her deteriorating condition. 

However, it is high time we loved our mother and it is we who can take better care of our mother than other people on earth in the way she nurtured us at our young age. Wake up the young hearts from sleep! Do something for her before it has been too late or she will visit the place where all have entry permission but no exit or escape.

Md. Saiful Alam

B. A. Honours and M. A. in English

Lecturer in English

Queen’s College, Dhaka

E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

*

 My Affectionate Readers,

Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much. Moreover, any correction or suggestion regarding my writings will be largely appreciated and valued and you can ask me any grammatical questions regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.

Paragraph: How to Learn English Well

How to Learn English Well

English is an international language. However, learning a language is not an easy matter. It would be easier for us, if we try to improve the four skills in a language. The four skills are as:  listening, speaking, reading and writing. Actually, there are two ways to acquire a language. One is called acquisition and the other is named learning. First, if a person wants to improve in listening skill, he needs to be a careful listener. He can also listen to the B.B.C radio news and can enjoy other programmes in English. Gradually his listening skill will be developed. Secondly, speaking is the most important skill of all. To improve the skill we must converse in English as much as possible. There is no other way to do better in the skill but to practise speaking. We should not be much worried about our mistakes while speaking. Thirdly, reading is the third skill. We can be successful in the skill only by reading a great number of books. And they must be written in English. One can read short stories, English newspapers, English grammar books by the English and so on. Finally, writing is another essential language skill. To be good at writing, we must write regularly and for this, we can choose any topic. Although, it is hard to be a good writer, only rigorous practice may help us in this regard. Thus we can both acquire and learn English well.    

Md. Saiful Alam

BA Honours, BEd (1st Class) and MA in English

Assistant Teacher of English 

Machkhola Secondary School, Satkhira

 E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

Dear readers, 

Please, never hesitate to comment because your comment inspires me much. Moreover, any correction or suggestion regarding my writings will be largely appreciated and valued and you can ask me any grammatical questions regarding English. I promise I would try my best to assist you, all. Thank you very much.