PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH
PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q. 1. Show the important of English as an International Language.
Ans. Importance of English as an International Language-English is
rapidly becoming a world language. It is the first language of the United
Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and Australia. In addition it
is spoken and read by many million of Europeans. Africans, Chines, Indians,
Japanese and South Americans as a second language. It is widely known in
India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylonl almost every country of the world. In brief
of person out of every four on earth can be reached with English.
Everything of importance which happens day by day is printed in English
in newspapers or spoken in English over radio all over the world 50 percent
of the world’s newspapets over 50 percent of the world’s scientific and
technical periodicals and more than 60 percent of the world’s radip stations use
English as medium of communication.
The above facts point out that English is an international language. No
language, ancient or modern, can be compared with English in fpect of its
international status. It is interesting to note that about one-half of mankind
above chosen English to communicate with those who do not speak their own
language. In fact, the English helps in establishing international relations. As
such, it is a source of better understanding among difference nations of the
world.
Q. 2. What is importance of Teaching English in India ?
Or, Why English should be considered as an important language.
Give reason.
Ans. Importance of Teaching English in India–Whatever argument
may be advanced for doing away with the teaching of English, its importance
for us cannot be underestimated. For this, the reasons are as follows:
1. English being an official language administration―English has been
the official language of the country for more than 200 years. It has been
declared as the Associate Official Language of the Union for an indefinite
period by an Act of Parliament in 1963. As such, it dominates the
administrative business at the Centre as well as in the States. All the
administrative work is done in English throughout the country.
2. Being a language of the court―English still continues to be the
language of the courts. So far there is no other suitable language for legal
business, not only at the Supreme Court but also at the High Courts and
District Courts. Cases are presented and judgements given in English in all
these courts.
3. Being a language of international trade and industry―English
dominates the field of trade and industry in the country. Because most of the
work in these fields is carried on in English. Maintenance of accounts, audit
and correspondence is done in English.
4. In social life―English plays an important role in the social life of the
country. The highly educated and sophisticated sections of our society find it
more convenient to talk in English. They write letters in English. Ceremonial
like marriages and other parties invitation cards are mostly printed in English.
Most of the educated people put their signatures in English.
5. Being a window on the modern world : Pandit Nerhu has rightly
said, “English is our major window on the modern world.” English is a
window through which we can see the scientific, technological. agricultural
and commercial developments taking place in the world, English is only
language through which we have distilled essence of modern knowledge in all
fields of human activity.
Q. 3. Describe the functions of speaking.
Ans. Spoken and written language have very different societal functions.
In most societies, spoken language is primary. Every community has its own
language that it uses for the purpose of communication. It is significant that
while most communities use the spoken form of language, not all communities
have the written form. Language such as Naga and Mizo, in India had no
script for a long time until they adapted the Roman script.
It is common knowledge that child always learns to speak his/her
language before he/she learns to read or write it. This is owing to the great
need for the child to interact with members of his/her life.
Thus the basic function that spoken language performs is to establish and
maintain the communication between members of the same language group. In
addition to being used for casual face to face conversation, spoken language
also serves as a vehicle for communication between people from different parts
of a country and even different parts of the world. The communication link is
established through a network of telecommunications and television, etc.
Spoken language is seminars, conference, and for classroom interaction.
Q. 4. Describe the limitations of phonetic method.
Ans. It has the following limitations :
1. It is based on unpsychological rules.
2. It is not proper for mentally retarded students, because it is logical
task.
3. It compels student to cram because for many students it becomes hard
to understand the sound system and phonetic transcription.
4. Generally students do not take interest in learning pronunciation if
they taught by phonetic method.
5. Teacher finds this method tedious and difficult.
6. It has been found that even after understanding the sound system of
English, many persons are unable to pronounce properly and
correctly.
7. Since there is no place of practice in this method, students forget
pronunciation of many words after some lapse of time.
8. This method is not appropriate for little children. It can only be used
successfully with adult students.
9. It is much time consuming.
10. For teaching pronunciation through this method: the teacher must be
well trained.
11. Audio-visual aids are needed, eg. charts of speech organs,
linguaphone, etc.
Q. 5. Write the causes of Incorrect Spelling.
Ans. Causes of Wrong/Incorrect Spelling:
(i) The same letter stands for different sounds. The letters’ for example.
gives different in sounds in books, cars and sugar.
(ii) The same sound is indicated by different letters or combinations of
letters. For example, different combinations of letters in sea, bee, key;
eve given the sound of vowel fi:/.
(iii) Some letters are silent in certain words, e.g b in doubt, b in debt, 1
in talk.
(iv) Some letters have the same pronunciation but different spellings and
meaning, e.g. write, rite. Such words are called homophones.
Q. 6. Describe the ways of teaching spellings.
Or, Give suggestions to improve spelling.
Ans. Ways of teaching spelling are as follows:
1. Pupil’s Spelling Books―Children should be encouraged to keep small
note-books. In them, they should write the correct spellings of words in which
they make a mistake. In due course of time, they will have a list of words. By
going through those words very now and then, they can easily remember them.
2. Incidential Method―In this method the teacher teaches spelling
incidentally. When some new words occur in the reader, he draws the attention
of the pupils to their correct spelling.This method is commended because it
correlates spelling with reading. But it is not thoroughly reliable. It has to be
supplemented by other methods and devices of teaching spelling.
3. Dictation–Bhatia and Bhatia, Dictation is valuable is a device of
teaching as of spelling. It fixes the spelling of words more firmly in the mind.
It tests whether a pupil can hear properly what is said, whether he can
recognised the words that the teacher uses, and whether he can spell those
words.”
4. New Drill Method―Spelling drill is considered dull and mechanical,
wasteful and ineffective. As such, it is condemned. But its advocates say that
drill is the only effective means of making knowledge permanent and of
forming habits of correct spelling. As there are no fules of English spelling
repetition is reargued as the only effective way of learning it. By repeating the
same word over and over again many successive impressions fall upon the eye
or cars. Thus the spelling of the word is firmly fixed in the mind.
5. Correct Pronunciation―A brief description of the various types of
objectives tests are as under. Wrong pronunciation leads to wrong spelling. it
is a thing of common experience that pupils whose pronunciation is faulty
from habits of incorrect spelling. For example, if they say government. They
will also write government not government. Hence, it is very necessary that the
habit of correct pronunciation would be formed.
6. Spelling Games-Spelling games, are very useful in teaching spelling
in junior classes. These games stimulate pupils to healthy competition, provide
recreation and help in learning.
7. Display Spelling Charts—The teacher should display in the class a
chart containing words that are generally mis-spelt. Such a chart should be
replaced after every fortnight.
8. Use Spelling Note-book―Students should have a spelling note-book in
which they write the spellings of words that they misspelt in their writing.
They should look at the note-book off and on.
9. Use the Dictionary―Students, especially in senior classes, should be
encouraged to use the dictionary whenever they are in doubt about the spelling
of a word.
Q. 7. Discuss Methods of Teaching Writing.
Ans. There are two important methods of teaching writing :
1. Kindergarten Method
2. Tracing Method
1. Kindergarten Method―It is based on the principles of Kindergarten
method of education. Under this method, a Kindergarten box is used. In it,
there are pieces of wood or plastic of different shapes. By joining these pieces,
the letters of English alphabet (both capital and small) can be formed. Pupils
are given practice of constructing letters of the alphabets by joining those
pieces. It has the following merits :
(a) It is based on playway method.
(b) It is interesting.
(c) It is easy.
(d) It suits the nature of little children.
But this method has the following demerits :
(i) In India, teaching of English generally starts from class VI. Students
of class VI belong to (10-13) age group. So, it is not appropriate to
use Kindergarten box at this stage.
(ii) Pupils might have learnt writing their mother tongue through this
method. They may not now, take interest in this method.
2. Tracing Method― This method requires the learner to make
movements over the printed or written letters with a pen or pencil held in
his
hand. The letters of English alphabet are either written in dotted lines or in a
frame like this.
Ph
The teacher writes letter in this manner in the notebooks of the students
and asks them to pass their hands over the letters. Exercise books for this are
also available. There are certain merits of this method as follows:
1. Children learn by imitation and this method follows the principles of
learning by imitation.
2. There are no chance of wrong learning.
3. Montessori has also recommended this method and asked students to
pass their finger over and paper letters.
Q. 8. Explain Letter Writing.
Ans. Letter writing is a gentle art. Letters are meant not merely to convey
information, but to communicate the pleasant warmth of friendliness. Letter
writing is a commonly taught form of composition at the school level. But it
is not easy to write a good letter just as it is not easy to write a poem. Our
Indian students often find it difficult to write a letter in English.
A good letter must be simple because the aim is not to show one’s
scholarship and command over English, but it should reveal one’s personality.
Its style should be attractive without being showy.
Classification of Letters―We can arbitrarily classify letters into three
classes :
(1) Friendly letters including personal letters, (2) Business letters, (3)
Social letter : Invitations, Replies, etc.
Q. 9. Explain the Application Writing.
Ans. Application Writing comes under the category of business letters
which include (1) Official letters, (2) Applications, (3) Letters no Newspapers
and (4) Ordinary business correspondence.
Applications should begin with ‘Sir’ to address the officer concerned. The
Starting lines can begin with such lines as : ‘I respectfully bag to state’ or ‘In
response to your advertisement dated … I best to other myself
as a candidate’.
The body of the application must furnish the required information in a
systematic way. The concluding lines can be any of the following:
(i) Hoping a favourable consideration.
(ii) Thanking you an anticipation.
Applications for a job should end with : Yours faithfully, followed by a
comma. Similarly the applications to the Headmaster/Principals should
conclude with : Yours obediently. This subscription is suitable for students
only parents of students need not write ‘your obediently. They can use : Yours
faithfully.
Q. 10. Expiain the intensive and extensive reading. With examples.
Ans. The 36th year book of the National Society for the study of
Education has activate reading as follows:
“Reading involves the recognition of the important elements of meaning
in their essential relation including accuracy and thoroughness and
comprehension.
According to Dr. West “Reading is a process of light sound
scene.”
Intensive Reading―Intensive reading means a minute and detailed study
of the prescribed prose text. It concentrates upon language, information und
the grasping of the sense. It is by intensive reading that the prose text is taught
at the middle and high stage. Intensive reading is also called detailed study. It
concentrates upon :
1. Assimilation of language which consists study of words, phrases and
sentence structure.
2. Study of sentence structure including grammar, word order and syntex
3. Grasping of the sense and getting information.
Objectives :
1. To enable the students to understand, speak and write English correctly.
2. To help them to improve and extend their knowledge and command
over English.
3. To give them practice in correct pronunciation, intonation, expression
and modulation of vice.
4. To give them opportunity to use language without fear and to develop
in them the habit of thinking in English.
5. To create and foster in them a taste of the study of English and
enrich their vocabulary.
Advantages :
1. It increases the active vocabulary.
2. It helps in learning grammar.
3. It explains the meaning.
4. It improves the power of experience.
Limitations :
1. It does not impart any interest to the public.
2. It is very limited utility in the formation of a working vocabulary the
learning to the correct English.
3. It does not give a good knowledge of grammar.
Extensive Reading― It is also known a rapid reading or silent reading. It
gives practice in reading for information only and concentrates upon subject-
matters. There is a little study of individual words and phrases as possible.
They pass into the passive vocabulary of the pupil. Although rapid reading is
supervised reading, the pupil reads without the help of the teachers.
Objectives :
1. To train pupils to understand quickly the subject matters.
2. To develop in them a taste for reading books so that they may porm
cultural contact with great writers and people.
3. To enable them to learn more vocabulary.
4. To inculcate in them the habit of reading for pleasure and profit.
Advantages :
1. It helps in assimilation of ideas.
2. It keeps the whole class busy and active.
3. It increase a vocabulary.
4. It has high “transfer of learning’ value since it prepare students for
library reading.
5. It paves the path for individual method of study and self education.
Q.11. What is Language Acquisition and Language Learning ?
Or, Difference between Language Acquisition and Language Learning
with examples.
Ans. Language Acquisition―Children acquire language subconsciously
through listening and speaking the language used in their family and
surrounding. It is acquired in an informal way and in natural situations as in
mother tongue or First Language (LI). In most cases this language is mother
tongue or L1, but in some cases it may be some other language or L2 as well.
The latter happens in the situations where children encounter and experience
other languages. Frequently, as Bangla in the case study cited above. In
language acquisition the learners get a feel. For the language and what is
correct and what is not correct. In language acquisition the emphasis is more
on communication than on the form. Young students who are in the process of
acquiring English get enty of ‘on the job’ practice. They readily acquire the
language to communicate with classmates.
Language Learning―Language Learning is done in a formal way and
consciously. Language Learning is not just a matter of acquiring the skills of
listening and speaking as in the case of Ll or the mother tongue, it is the result
of direct instruction in the rules of the language that is being learnt. Students
acquire conscious knowledge of the new language and can talk about that
knowledge. They can fill in the blanks on a grammar page. Learners know the
grammar rules but are not necessarily good in speaking or writing. A student
who has memorized the rules of the language may be able to succeed on a
Standerdized test of the target language but may not be able to speak or write
correctly.
Q. 12. What should a teacher to do test the reading ability of the
student in different level?
Ans. As we know reading is very important for knowing English properly.
In the classroom a student should aware of the ways to read the language. The
teacher can do the following things to make better reading.
At Junior Level—In the beginning a child should give to read familiar
words. Reading should not start with the textbook. Allow every child to read
simple words and poem loudly.
Read the sentences from starting to full stop and stress should be given at
the pausing point. If a student does not read words with correct pronunciation
tell her 10 speak loudly several times.
At Senior Level―At the senior level a teacher can test the ability to read
by giving textbook. When testing is being done in the class it should be in
proper atmosphere. A teacher should himself be a good reader. To test the ability
of all the students make them reading one by one.
Q. 13. Discuss the words, phrases or sentences that you use in your
surrounding.
Ans. There are some words, phrases and sentences that I use in my
surrounding :
Words― Go, come, sit, write, read, play, cat, sleep, Holi, Diwali, table,
book, etc.
Phrases―ABC. Break up, Bring out, Call back, Get out. Switch off
Sentences― Sit down, go back, come here.
Q. 14. List some homophones words.
Ans. List some homophones words:
Access (पहुँच) — There was no access to the main road from any village.
Excess (अधिकता)―Excess of everything is bad.
Adopt (काम में लाना)―The English adopted the policy of divide and
rule.
Adept (प्रवीण)―He is adept in archery.
Advice (राय) (Noun)―I always follow my fathers advice.
Advise (राय देना) (Verb)―My father advised me to work hard.
Angel (देवदूत)―An angel appeared in my dream.
Angle (कोण)―He drew an angle of 90°.
Ail (कष्ट होना)―No one knows what ails him.
Ale (हल्की शराब)―That brand of ale was very popular.
Bare (नंगा)―He came bare-headed in the sun.
Bear (जन्म देना)―My cow will soon bear a calf.
Bail (जमानत)―The prisoner was released on bail.
Bell (घंटी)―The school bell rang regularly.
Berry (बेर–जंगली फल)—I don’t like berries.
Burry (दफनाना)― Dead bodies were buried last night.
Berth (सीट)—I reserved a berth for Delhi.
Birth (जन्म)―We celebrated his birthday.
Beside (निकट)―The cat was sitting beside the girl.
Besides (अतिरिक्त)―Besides money, he has got landed property.
Beat (मारना)―Why did you beat my brother?
Bit (थोड़ा-सा)—I took a little bit of sugar.
Break (तोड़ना)― He will break this toy very soon.
Brake (गाड़ी रोकना)―The driver applied the brake quickly.
Cast (फेंकना/डालना)―She cast her vote this year.
Caste (जाति)―Today caste is not very important.
Q. 15. What is Synonyms ? List some.
Ans. Synonyms are group of words from the same language which are
similar in meaning but never identical. They often have different implication
and associations. For example :
Ability (योग्यता)―He was promoted due to his abilities. (योग्यता के कारण
ही उनकी प्रोन्नति हुई है।)
Capacity (सामर्थ्य)―Capacity to hold. This tanker has the capacity of 4000
liters (इस टैंकर में 4000 लीटर सामान आ सकता है।)
Above (ऊपर)― Suggests a fixed position. My name is above everyone’s.
(मेरा नाम सबों के नामों से ऊपर है।)
Over (ऊपर)― It suggests movement. The aeroplane flew over our heads.
(जहाज हमारे सिर के ऊपर से गुजर गया।)
Accept (स्वीकारना)―She accepted the invitation (महिला ने निमंत्रण स्वीकार
कर लिया।
Admit (मान लेना)―Ravi did not admit his mistake. (रवि ने अपनी गलती
नहीं मानी।)
Q. 16. What is Antonyms ? List some.
Ans. Antonyms are those words which are opposite in meaning. For
example hot is the opposite of cold.
List of some Antonyms :
Word Antonyms
ability inabililty
direct indirect
active inactive
finite infinite
human inhuman
balance unbalance
mobile immobile
agree disagree
loyal disloyal
able unable
common uncommon
cover uncover
just unjust
ascend descend
Q. 17. Define Prefixes.
Ans. Prefixes are the letters which were add to the beginning of the word
to make new word with different meaning. For example if we prefix ‘Un’ to
the word ‘Able’ we can form a word ‘Unable’. Prefixes can make a new word
which is opposite in meaning to the stem/base word. It can also express the
relation of time, place and manner.
Base/Stem Word Prefixed Word Type of meaning
Possible Impossible Opposite
Payment Non-payment Negation
War Pre-war Time
Cook Overcook Manner
Terrestrial Extraterrestrial Place
Q. 18. What is Suffix ? Discuss.
Ans. A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added at the end of a word
to make a new word. The new word form is often a different word class from
the original word. For example :
Word Suffixed Word Changed Class
Forget; Use Forgetful; Useful Verbs to Adjectives
State Statement Verbs to Nouns
Govern Government
Complicate Complication Verbs to Nouns
Create Creation
The suffices often change the spellings of the base word. For example:
1. Beauty: Duty + ful = Beautiful, Dutiful (y changed to i)
2. Able; possible + ity = Ability; possibility (le is changed to il)
3. Permit; Omit + ion = Permission: Omission (t is changed to ss)
Q. 19. Frame an activity for teaching vocabulary.
Ans. Activity―Discuss with in the class about the English words that
we
often find in our surrounding. The teacher may ask some questions to
initiate
the discussion, such as―Meera, what did you eat in the breakfast? or Manjari,
who lives with you? or Sita, who gave you this frock ? Etc.
Now prepare a list of such words and classify them in three categories as
given in the following table.
Words used at home Words used in school Words used in market
1. Eat Book Kg.
2. Sleep Copy Price
3. Read Lesson Rupees
4. Bath Write Polythin
5. Food Speak Bag
Q. 20. Frame an activity for Prefix.
Ans. Activity―Teacher will make two sets of flash cards. Each card of
one set will have a word written on it and on the cards of second set will have
the words made by using prefixes with the words of first set, such as
Possible― impossible, kind-unkind, definite-indefinite. The teacher will now
distribute the flash cards among the learner. One learner will get one card.
Then the learners will read out the word on their cards and find out the learner
whose word seems similar to him. These two will pair up and when all the
learner have found their pair the teacher will ask them to find out the
difference between their words and to underline it. The teacher will now
discuss prefixes and how a new word is formed by using it.
Q. 21. Write the merits of Grammar.
Ans. Merits of Grammar :
(i) So far correct expression in a language is concerned, grammar is
essential
(ii) Language is a complex system. It must have logic, a grammar is
behind it.
(iii) Grammar teaching is essential if we want to proceed from concrete
to abstract.
(iv) It gives an insight into the structure of the language.
(v) It is a systematized knowledge of a language.
(vi) It provides a criteria for judging the correciness of language.
(vii) Its importance in writing is undebatable.
(viii) It helps in developing many mental abilities such as : reasoning,
observation and concentration.
(ix) It helps in writing correctly.
Q. 22. Write different approaches to Grammar Teaching.
Ans. Grammar is taught using three approaches. These are :
(i) Prescriptive Approach―In the Prescriptive approach the teacher
states the rules of the language and provides examples in support of these
rules. The learner is expected to learn these rules and practice them by doing
lots of activities reinforcing these rules. This is an old traditional method of
teaching grammar.
(ii) Communicative Approach―In the communicative approach
learners learn acquire the grammar of the language through activities than
involve the use of language in real life authentic contexts.
(iii) Constructivist Approach—The third and the last approach is the
constructivist approach. The teacher engages the learnes in real life situations
and facilitates them to infer the rules of the language and use them in novel
situations which they are likely to encounter at any time in their life.
Q. 23. Differentiate between Formal (traditional) and Functional
Grammar.
Ans. Difference between Formal (traditional) and Functional
Grammar:
Traditional (Formal) Grammar Functional Grammar
1. It emphasizes the form. 1. It emphasizes the function.
2. It says stress on definition and 2. It lays stress on practice and
theory. application.
3. Grammatical rules are important 3. Function and application are
in it and they are to be learned important in it. There is no need
by heat. to
learn rules by heart as by
constant practice of making
sentences of students will learn
them automatically.
4. Deductive approach is used to 4. Inductive approach is used to
teach this grammar teach.
5. It is taught formally 5. It is taught informally.
6. Every part of grammar is used. 6. Useful and functional parts of
sentence pattern are taught.
Q. 24. What is the principles of Learning Words ?
Ans. Principles of Learning words:
1. Listening―Hearing precedes speaking. The listener hears the sound
and watches the movements of the lips of the speaker. A deaf child
is also dumb. Such children can’t listen therefore, they are unable to
speak also.
2. The object or the action of sight― The object or the action must be
done as the sound is made.
3. Listening to sentences― The new words must be taught in a sentence
pattern because this will make the meaning and the sense of the word
clear to the pupils.
4. Trial and Practice― the child learns the words by writing them many
times. Practice makes a man perfect. In the beginning, the child may use
the word incorrectly. But if he practises regularly in presence of a
teacher and the teacher cares and corrects it then he uses the words
correctly.
5. Speaking proceeds Reading and Writing―The child first learns to
use the words in spoken language then he makes use of them in writing
Techniques/Methods of Teaching New Words.
Q. 25. Who is a good reader ? List some of the main features of a good
reader.
Ans. Good readers will construct meaning from what they read by gaining
a new perspective or thought. Good reader read the text fluently with accuracy.
Features of a good reader:
(i) Interact with text
(ii) Have goals for reading
(iii) Evaluate text for important ideas
(iv) Note structure of text before reading
(v) Make predictions
(vi) Construct, revise and question as they read
(vii) Monitor their understanding as they read
(viii) Read different kinds of text differently
(ix) Process text during and after reading
(x) Find comprehension of text to be productive
(xi) Create visual images based on text they have read
(xii) Draw inferences
(xiii) Synthesize information
(xiv) Repair understanding
(xv) Enjoy and appreciate literature
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