AUTO-LEARNING STRATEGIES TO TAME THE KILLER LANGUAGE

The English language has gained the status of a modern living world language. It is hailed as the multi-billion dollars language and the language of the Nobel-laureates. The Information Technology boom has made it a mighty generator of millions of job opportunities. Foreign jobs are now available in India itself. Nevertheless, English remains a killer language in India, and the teaching and learning of it has not gained momentum to meet the demand made by the MNCs. The great problem here is to bring world class quality in teaching and learning of it

Indian students are not industry-ready and employable due to their poor communication skills. Today Spoken English and fluency in English are absolutely necessary for professional and academic growth. Auto learning strategies will help the students to improve their fluency in English. Fluency of any foreign language depends on the following linguistic skills. 1.Phonology 2.Morphology 3.Syntax.and 4.Semantics

The first problem making English a killer language is the teaching of it like a subject neglecting the linguistic inputs. The second problem is the overemphasis on the skills of reading and writing ignoring the basic skills of listening and speaking. The third problem is not using the electronic gadgets and language laboratories properly in the teaching and learning of English. The fourth problem is the lack of native speaker’s model and the mother tongue influence. The fifth problem is not teaching the auto learning strategies to the students

These are a few of the problems besetting the present English Education system in India. There should be a paradigm shift in the teaching and learning of it.

Language –based job opportunities

Language –based job opportunities are also increasing very fast. The following are some of them

· English language Teachers

· BPO English Trainers

· Actors

· News readers

· Translators

· Editors

· Journalists

· Technical Writers

· Speakers

In all these fields, there is a heavy demand for learning of English. Indian education system does not cater to the needs of the above posts. Further the teaching and learning of it pulls down the quality of higher education system in India. Hence the pedagogy of teaching of English should be thoroughly changed.

Learning of the Trillion Dollar Language.

Modern world languages grow fast and English stands first among them. Owing to MNCS, foreign job opportunities are available in India itself. These MNCS expect their employees to possess excellent communication skills. Further learning of other subjects also heavily depends upon the learning of English. Further English language –based jobs are also increasing throughout the globe. Business, trade, and commerce across the world are carried out using English. After the utilization of nanotechnology, the business would be carried out in trillion dollars. The economic development of all countries depends on the teaching and learning of English. The future of Indian economy, the quality of Indian education and the job opportunities of the Indian youths are centering around the English language. Hence it is time to think seriously about strengthening of the quality of teaching and learning of the trillion dollar language.

Greeting:

Hi, Hello, Nice to see you/

GM,GA,GE,GN

Good to see you.

How are things with you?

How is life?

What is new?

What’s the latest?

I trust you’re keeping well.

I hope all goes well with you.

Introducing yourself, others

GM I’m ….

Excuse me, I am …..

This is ….

Do you know…

Have you met…

Please meet Mr…

Please meet my friend …

Let me introduce…..

May I introduce …

Making Requests:

Can/could I/ you …… ?

Would you mind ….., please?

Do you think you could ….. please?

Please do me a favour by ……?

Do you think it would be possible……?

I hope you don’t mind my asking, but……

I am sorry to trouble you, but ……?

I’d be grateful if you could …..

Inviting/accepting/rejecting an invitation

Would you like to …. ?

I’d like you to ……

I’d like to invite you to ……

What about/ How about you …..?

Like to ….

Care to …

Would you be interested in attending ….

We would/should be very much pleased/delighted if you …..

Thank you Id like to very much.

That’d be very nice.

Yes, please.

That sounds a nice idea.

With pleasure…..

O.K. / Alright.

I won’t say no.

We’d very much like ….

What a splendid idea!

Thank you very much.

That ‘d give us the greatest pleasure.

It’s kind of you.

Thank you very much, but…

Thank you for asking me, but….

I’m sorry. At present I …..

I’d like to, but ….

I wish I could , but …

I’m afraid I’ve already promised to …..

Sorry, I can’t. /No, thank you.

I regret that I shall not be able to accept …..

Unfortunately, I ….

That’s very kind of you, but ….

Offering help:

May I help you?

May I be of any assistance?

Could I help you?

Would you like me to help you?

Do you want my help?

Do you like any help?

What can I do for you?

Is there anything I can do for you?

Let me do …..

Can I help you?

Shall I do ….?

Accepting help:

I’d be delighted.

That’s very kind of you.

If it is of no trouble to you, …

If you don’t mind, …..

Thank you.

Just what I needed

Declining an offer:

No. Please don’t bother

Thanks a lot, but ….

I’m very grateful, but ..

Thanks a lot, yet …

No. Thank you.

-Taken from the Net

Good Communication Skills

The way one communicates does not only have an impact on their own profession and personal relations, but also an effect on others. Those who do not have appropriate communication skills are usually ignored or simply kept at bay. Where are those with good communication skills are looked upon and well respected. After all a good listener and a good orator are popular in their groups - professional and personal.

Teaching communication skills can be a rather daunting task, considering that almost every individual feels that they are very good communicators. In fact, most trainers prefer to be regarded as facilitators, who are able to bring to light the nuances that occur while communicating ineffectively, rather than pointing a direct finger and saying - You all cannot communicate well'. and when this occurs the participants are ready to delve deeper within and bring out the negative aspects of their communications and replace it with the corrective measures.

Based on the communication skills training programs conducted by known experts in the field, here are some tips to good communication skills :

Maintain eye contact with the audience : This is vital as it keeps all those present involved in the conversation. It keeps them interested and on the alert, during the course of the conversation.

Body awareness : One needs to be aware of all that their body is conveying to them, as well as others. For instance, if there is anxiety rising during the course of a conversation then one feels thirsty and there maybe a slight body tremor. At that point one needs to pause and let someone else speak. A few deep breaths and some water works as the magic portion at this point.

Gestures and expressions : One needs to be aware of how to effectively use hand gestures and the way they need to posture their body to convey their messages effectively. Sometimes it may happen that they verbally convey something, but their gestures and facial expressions have another story to tell.

Convey one's thoughts : It is important for one to courageously convey what they think. This is because when things are left unsaid, then what is being spoken is not as convincing as it should be. Then a lack of confidence develops.

Practice effective communication skills : One should practice speaking and listening skills as often as possible.

In order to practice effective speaking skills one cane read passages from a book aloud, in front of a mirror, or simply perform a free speech in front of the mirror. And where listening is concerned, one can try transcribing from the radio or television, etc. this helps in honing sharper listening skills

Courtesy to: Mind Tools Community

Memorize a Few Dialogues

THE HINDU, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR COLUMN

2. English speakers

Sir, For self learning, speed learning, and stress-free super learning, fluency in English, especially Spoken English, has become a must for college and university students. Spoken English has often been talked of as a school subject and a strong foundation has to be laid in the communicative use of English at the school level itself.

Unfortunately the present “English Readers” (the textbook series) from the preliminary to the plus two level aid the learners to read and write English without taking care of their listening and speaking skills.

For the instant improvement of these practical life skills, the current textbooks (English Readers) should be completely changed and the new textbooks should be entitled as “English Speakers” which are full of model dialogues fro listening, practicing and speaking. Even the students may be encouraged to memorize a few dialogues and they will surely find it interesting, enjoyable and useful in their life situations.

This will drive away heir fear and hatred towards the English language. This is the most urgent need of the hour to improve Spoken English at the school level. Will the English textbook writers consider this idea and introduce the new type “English Speakers” immediately

By S.MALAIKKANI - Courtesy – THE HINDU.

Need for American English

Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) are based on the skills of listening and speaking of American English. BPO services like call centres and medical transcription services are also dependent upon the American accent. Unfortunately Indians are accustomed to British English. There is a lot of difference between the British English and the American English. The Indian learners have to concentrate on American English to get job opportunities.