Learning English
Mr. Mujtaba Ahsan's letter on 26th May really provided some food for thought regarding English learning. As he lives in US, it's easier for him to find out and analyse the problem rather intellectually. I agree with him on his suggestion for enhancing the communicative skills. Obviously, it's the main point for which many Bangladeshi students struggle and suffer a lot in higher studies or while living abroad. For this reason, the government implemented such a syllabus for both SSC and HSC level which emphasises acquiring communicative competence. But it's a great pity that, we still can not actualise the government's plan properly. There is lack of practice in schools and colleges and when a student returns home, he becomes totally dependant on Bengali. Those, who were born in English speaking countries do not need to start learning grammar from childhood as English is their mother tongue. If we also try to acquire the knowledge of language like them, it may help us a lot. But there is a different opinion that we were not born in any English speaking country so we have to learn the grammar rules. Well, it's all right but we have to develop the habit of speaking in English. There is another matter of dispute, whether the correct pronunciation is needed or not. It's a human nature that he tries to do everything perfectly. So it is only proper that we learn the correct pronunciation.
Different people may have different thoughts and opinions. But if we watch the overall situation we can never deny the importance of learning English.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.