Vaidehi Hariyani

Hello  Learners , As this blog is part of my ELT Classroom activity, all the readers are  learners  as well. Here are some of my interpretations on the following Research paper: “Teaching of English: A Plea for Practical Attitude” – R.K.Singh (Indian Institute of Mines, Dhanbad) In this research paper R.K.Singh highlights importance of English as a potential national resource in India and how a positive approach should be adopted in teaching as well as learning English language. The title itself suggests an urgent request to adopt a positive and practical attitude towards teaching English in India. According to him, rather than going in discussion about English as Second Language or Foreign Language, English should be accepted as a ‘Neutral Language’ in India. As it is widely preferred medium of all transactions and communication, English should have a separate identity. He has given three aims of teaching English well :- 1.)Encou...

Namaste! Friends, My interpretation on Rekha Aslam’s research paper is presented in this blog. “Socio-Cultural Dimensions of English as a Second Language” – Rekha Aslam (University of Delhi) This research paper describes how English is made to fulfil the function of a Second language. The transition is shown with the examples from “Fire on the Mountain” by Anita Desai, “Nector in a Sieve” by Kamala Markandaya and R.K.Narayan’s “The Dark Room”. As we know English is taught as a Second Language in India so manipulation with English is possible. Let’s first see some of the characteristics of Second Language highlighted by Rekha Aslam:- 1.)    A Second Language is a language which is one’s own, though not the first in order of importance nor usually the first to be learnt. 2.)     A Second Language is used as an alternative way of expressing a culture of one’s own.     3.) A Second Language produces bilinguals with active and ...

Hello Readers, Here are my views on the research paper by R.S.Sharma from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi on “Teaching EST (English for Science and Technology) in Indian Conditions”. This article has focused on the major drawbacks of teaching EST in India, Needs of a learner, Structure of Technical English and Teaching materials, Expertise and training etc… R.S.Sharma has highlighted many drawbacks due to which teaching EST in India suffers like... Courses and methods are unrelated to the specific needs of the students, T he teachers are ill-equipped,           Teaching materials are not based on an analysis of the scientific sub-register etc...               To overcome these drawbacks, first of all learners need should be identified and the teaching material, syllabus and teaching style should be designed accordingly. A proper structure of Technical English and Teaching materials should be set...

Hello Friends, In this blog, I am sharing my views on “Teaching English as a Second Language in India” – by  KAPIL KAPOOR, JNU New Delhi. First of all let us look at the meaning of Second Language… A person's second language or L2 is a language that is not the native language of the speaker, but that is used in the locale of that person. Here the term second language is explained in two different ways- (I)English is second language after one or more Indian languages, which are primary and more significantly. (ii) In School Education, the second language is what is introduced after the primary stage and has a pedagogical as well as a functional definition. In this article Kapil Kapoor is arguing and giving his view on the contemporary teaching style. We Indians by childhood have First Language or Mother tongue, and then Hindi becomes the Second Language, and then comes English. In fact English is our third language not second. So, the teaching style of ...

Hey Readers,  This blog is in reference to a research paper by E.ANNAMALAI “ Satan and Saraswati: The Double Face of English in India”. English plays a dual role in India. It has advantages as well as disadvantages. Though Hindi is our National language, mostly people use English as a medium of communication. English can be seen as: -   1.)   Satan ( God of Evil) –  Shortcomings   2.)   Saraswati ( God of Knowledge) – Positive aspects English as Satan:- Ø As English is not taught from the primary level of education, day-to-day communication is a bit difficult. Ø It is the language of need. So many people are not willing to learn the language, but they have to as a need of time. Ø Due our cultural limitations, we are not able to express our ideas or feelings in English. Ø The number of students learning English has increased but their level of competence has decreased. Ø English is used as a matter of style. It is not t...

Hey friends, Last week I kept myself busy with an interesting book- Danielle  Steel's   ‘ Johnny Angel’ . It is an amazing story full of faith, love, emotions and with the most important message about moving on in life. Normally if we talk about Angels, people feel that we are insane. This book will make you believe in angels and you will also feel that may be you are surviving and progressing because of your Angel. In day to day busy life we hardly get chance to think about this stuff, but calm reading of this book will show you the wonder of the world; YOUR ANGEL. It is a story about Johnny - a 17 year-old teenage boy who is a loving son, caring brother and a lover. He is the perfect hero of any good story. He has a loving family, friends, perfect education and ‘Becky’ his girlfriend who loves him truly and deeply. Everything was going on properly, when an accident occurs and Johnny bids farewell to his world. People who are close to him are inconsolable...

Hello Friends, After a long time I am writing here. Hope you all are fine. This time I have come up with a different interpretation of the phrase “RIP”. Mostly this phrase “RIP”; Rest in Peace is used for the people who are no more. We use this phrase to give sympathy towards the departed soul. The soul may get peace wherever it travels. No one exactly knows where the soul travels. Sometimes this phrase is used out of care and sometimes just for show off on social media. While sitting alone near a cemetery, a thought struck in my mind. Why do we use RIP only for dead people????? We can also use it for those who are alive. Many time people use RIP when a person is dead. The same people might have harassed the dead person when he is alive. So what’s the point of “RIP”? Suppose in the day time you behave very badly with someone. Is he/she going to get sound and peaceful sleep at night? The dead person will never come back so we just say “RIP”. Of course ever...