Subramanium and Rakesh are two friends. They are intending to learn conversational English.
Rakesh Subramanium, I am thinking of joining a class in English conversation.
Subramanium I was thinking about the same thing. These classes seem to be very popular these days.
Rakesh What I have been wondering about is whether to join a class or to study from a textbook which deals with day to-day matters which come up in conversation.
Subramanium For me. Perhaps the best course of action is to join a class. I am not always sure about my pronunciation.
Rakesh In my case, my grammer is rather weak. Why not go and consult the teacher of English conversation class and take her advice about the matter.
Subramanium and Rakesh go to the teacher of the English Class.
Subramanium Excuse me. Madam. My friend and I want to brush up our English conversation. We will be obliged if you could please guide us as to how to go about it.
Teacher Good morning. I am Miss Newman. I don’t believe we have met before.
Subramanium Sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I am Subramanium and this is my friend Rakesh.
Teacher I’ll be happy to advise you about improving your English. To begin with, you can join the English conversation.
Rakesh We were wondering whether it is absolutely essential to join a class or whether we could learn the language by studying from books.
Teacher That depends on what you feel you are lacking in your command of the language. If it is a matter of correcting your pronunciation, then it is very difficult to learn that form a phonetic guide may be added to a book. You have to listen very carefully to the correct enunciation of words.
Subramaniun We do have the problem of pronunciation. Rakesh feels unsure about his grammar as well.
Teacher Conversational English practice is conducted by talking about situations which occur in our daily life. Grammatical rules are the basis of any language. But in the case of gentlemen like you, who already have a good working knowledge of English, some background of the rules of grammar and quite a large vocabulary, the effort is to instill confidence and fluency in your speech. Mistakes in grammar are often committed by even professors of the language. But glaring blunders are pointed out to the student and he is reminded about the application of basic grammar.
Rakesh I have seen that in some books on conversation, some correct and incorrect grammatical usages are mentioned. So, in case my problem is only grammar, then I suppose that I do not need to attend a class.
Teacher If you are only concerned with grammatical construction, then it is not great necessity to have a teacher and you can check on your difficulties in grammar from a book. In fact, some books on conversational English contain a lot of information as well on a variety of subjects which would help you improve your general knowledge as well.
Subramaniun Then do you suggest that we merely buy a book on English conversation for all occasions.
Teacher You could do that. In any case, some book or books will have to be bought even if you will join a class in English conversation. The best way to learn a language is to read it, then listen to it when it is spoken correctly and then speak it yourself.
Rakesh That means that both the ears and the eyes have to be used.
Teacher That is the best method. Of course. But if you do not have enough leisure or spare time available to attend a class, a book could be a substitute as a guide to help you along.
(B) VOCABULARY
Mouth important aloud
Helpful listen clear
PHRASES
To practice read aloud
Speaking too quickly to follow the text
MEANINGS
Intend - purpose
Pronunciation - way of saying or speaking
Brush up - to revise, to improve
Phonetic - vocal sounds
Enunciation - to proclaim to say, to pronounce
Glaring - shine brightly
Instill -to put in gradually
Fluency - flowing talk easily
Confidence - trust of boldness
Blunder - very big and obvious mistake
Substitute - a person or thing acting in place of another
(C) Study the following responses:
1 In which languages you can read, speak and write?
Response I can speak, read and write in Hindi, English and in Bengali.
2 What about Punjabi? Do you know that language?
Response I can speak and under, stand Punjabi it, but I cannot read or write it.
3 Do you know any other language
Response Yes. I studied French while in school. I can read and write a little bit of French. But I cannot speak the language at all. Neither I can understand French when it is spoken by Frenchmen.
4 Why? How did this happen?
Response Frenchmen speak the language with a pronunciation that I am not used to. Moreover, they speak too fast for me to catch upon to what they say.
(D) Make suitable responses:
1 What is your object in studying English Conversation?
Response ________________________________________________
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2 What did the teacher tell Subramaniun and Rakesh about the best way of learning to converse in English? Is there any other method?
Response __________________________________________________
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