ENGLISH SPEAKING, ENGLISH GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY, SAT, GRE, TOEFL, ENGLISH WRITING SKILL, ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE, ISC

 I’ve noticed many students face difficulty in expressing their thoughts in good English. They do not have word stock. Their grammar is poor. Many guardians pay less attention in the formative days of class 5-8 to heed English learning. While specialist attention is necessary and a good teacher will charge a premium, they shy from spending when it is most needed… read on  https://besttutorskolkata.blogspot.com/2022/03/tuition-fee-expensive-tutor-low-cost.html

In our everyday lives, grammar is everywhere. We use it at home, in school, at work, and in the streets. It is the core of a language regardless of one’s culture, mastery and understanding of it. Being able to use grammar also widens one’s vocabulary. It opens doors of opportunities for us to be able to communicate freely, with no barriers and hesitations.

If you follow the conventional route to educate your children, in every likelihood, the child is going to earn average. In India, average (about 89%) people earn anywhere between Rs 10,000/- & 15,000/- per month. Do not see a flowery dream that only your child will do exceptionally well without the much needed proactive measure. What is that proaction? To change with the changing time.

World is moving towards more soft and communication skills than domain knowledge. In the very near future, repetitive work will be replaced by technology. Business will move on constant innovation and convincing capability.

Many businesses made a significant turn around only because someone convinced somebody else to start a preferential contract. Even if you are to get a high paying consultancy job or Tech job, you must convince the authority. In short, insane money will be earned by people having GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKING CAPABILITY. Others will continue to slog all their life.

Do you want to increase your child’s ENGLISH? Well, start from the scratch. Begin with vocabulary and grammar. Pay premium when the child is in class 5 or 6. The PUBLIC SPEAKING DEVELOPMENT will take the child far.

Grammar is important because it is the language that makes it possible for us to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. As human beings, we can put sentences together even as children—we can all do grammar. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types of words and word groups that make up sentences—that is knowing about grammar. And knowing about grammar offers a window into the human mind and into our amazingly complex mental capacity.

People associate grammar with errors and correctness. But knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear and interesting and precise. Grammar can be part of literature discussions when we and our students closely read the sentences in poetry and stories. And knowing about grammar means finding out that all languages and all dialects follow grammatical patterns.

If you understand the nature of language, you will realize the ground for your linguistic prejudices and perhaps moderate them; you will also more clearly assess linguistic issues of public concern, such as worries about the state of the language or what to do about the teaching of immigrants. Studying the English language has a more obvious practical application: It can help you to use the language more effectively.

** Can you solve the above Grammar questions??**

My 38 years’ long association with guardians has found an innate tendency to neglect this area, save money by employing any gig unprofessional tutor. Often, most of them would engage a tutor who will teach multiple subjects. A SPECIALIST NEVER TEACH MULTIPLE SUBJECTS. Hence, they lose out. In teaching, grammar plays a vital role in how effectively a teacher conveys his lessons. Knowing the highs and lows of the language could make or break a lesson. In one instance, a teacher could adjust the level of difficulty of words to be used if he is familiar with grammar. This could lead to a more enjoyable experience for both teachers and students. One more thing, being able to express yourself confidently as a teacher with the right grammar commands respect and positive outlook from your students. Mastering proper grammar could inspire your students to also strive harder in learning the language.

There are certain situations in which English grammar is especially important. For example, if you’re going for a job interview in an English-speaking country, the employer will be interested in the quality of your spoken and written English.Grammar is even important for your social life. Did you know that people on online dating apps are 14% less likely to chat with someone who uses poor grammar? Plus, when you’re meeting new people or visiting new places, the last thing you want is to be misunderstood! To avoid confusing your friends, or even ordering more drinks than you intended, you need to have a firm idea of how to structure your words.

Learning proper grammar is important because it is the language that makes it possible for us to effectively talk about language. Grammar names the words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in almost any language. As humans, we can put sentences together even as children. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types of words and word groups that make up sentences—that is knowing grammar. With this, knowing about grammar opens a window into the human mind and into our amazingly complex mental capacity of knowing and learning a specific language. We always associate grammar with errors and correctness. But keep in mind, knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear and interesting, pleasant and precise.

** Can you solve the above Grammar questions??**

Any middle class family just can not afford the expenses to send their ward abroad for higher studies. Now, we all are aware that if the student takes a valued BBA, MBA Tech course from the reputed universities abroad, the chances of earning in Dollars/Pounds increase making him/her super rich in just 5 years !!!

Today, scholarships are available. Remember, these developed countries also need talents to oil their economy. So, they institute SAT, GRE, TOEFL every year to get the best talent. 90% of these competitive exams bear the weightage on ENGLISH APPLICATION AND VOCABULARY. Which means, your good English Skill can place you in a good university at BARE MINIMUM EXPENSE which the middle class can afford. Besides, the competition is not as CRAZY AND STEEP AS THOSE FOR ENTERING IIT, MBBS etc. Any average student may crack under the able guidance.

Grammar refers to the rules and regulations that govern spoken and written language. Grammar is the code that makes language work. Through proper grammar, we can communicate clearly in a way readers or listeners understand. Good grammar is key to effective communication, whereas bad grammar leads to surprising mistakes. Its purpose is to build a bridge between what you mean and what the reader or listeners understand. With clear, strong grammar skills, you can ensure people understand what you’re trying to say or write, even if English isn’t your native language.

Disclaimer: Images have been taken from Google sites.

NINE GOLD MEDALS, ICSE POEM, PROJECT ANALYSIS, COLLABORATION IS NOBLER THAN COMPETITION

 NINE GOLD MEDALS - COLLABORATION IS NOBLER THAN CONTEST

The poem Nine Gold Medals depicts the companionship of all eight athletes. The runners have truly justified the spirit of Special Olympics with their empathy, sportsmanship and cooperation. It doesn’t require for people to be from a country or a place to show kindness and sportsmanship. It also gives us a message that being selfless and helping others can do a lot of good not only to the person who is being helped but also to the person who is helping. David Roth’s poem depicts the human compassion and sportsman spirit eight special athletes showed in the Special Olympics racing event. When the youngest of the nine runners fell thrashing on the ground, the others stopped and came back to lift the fallen one and walked together to cross the finishing line together. This was an outstanding display of collaboration and cooperation, for which each of them was awarded with a gold medal. The message conveyed by the poet here is that the world now needs more cooperation and collaboration than competition.

The poem Nine Gold Medals highlights the true spirit of sportsmanship, cooperation, collaboration and kindness towards other humans. The poet David Roth emphasises that mere winning is not so important than participation. The generous and kind behaviour of all the athletes towards their fellow participant helped them win the heartfelt applause of the spectators.

All of them had practised hard for the Special Olympics Racing event. When the youngest contestant falls down they put aside their efforts and continue to help the lad. This shows that the world today does not need competition but cooperation and collaboration.

At the scene at the playfield where the event was about to start, there was a great excitement among the crowd to watch the athletes competing hard for a medal. A large crowd of spectators was present to watch the events. They were cheering the players. The people were excited and were eagerly waiting for the race to start. Finally, it was time for the race to begin, so all the participants lined up in order. The names of the nine runners who were going to participate were announced. All the participants were determined to win the competition. The race was supposed to begin at the sound of the gunshot. As soon as the pistol was shot, all the participants in the race took off from their blocks. As ill luck would have it, the youngest of the participants in the race lost his balance and fell to the ground. The event of a runner falling during the race was unexpected as it does not usually occur. The situation had become tense. The athlete cried out in frustration and was devastated. what happened next was really quite unusual, as it is impossible to imagine in today's competitive world. He had fallen out of the race and his dream of winning the race was shattered. His fall wasted all the efforts and hard work that he had put in to win the competition as the race was over for him. What happened next was not only unusual but also stunning. The other runners volunteered their fellow participant to win the event of the Special Olympics.  

On seeing the runner fall down, the other athletes stopped running. One by one they turned back and went to the athlete who had fallen down. They helped him to stand up. Although they had spent a lot of time and effort in training, they did not hesitate to stop running to help the injured athlete. This is a brilliant act of compassion and empathy for the fallen athlete by the other eight runners. After helping the fallen athlete to get up, all the nine athletes joined hands and started walking towards the finish line. Thus, the hundred-yard race was now reduced to a walk by the athletes. There was a banner hung above the racing track which said ‘Special Olympics’. That banner displayed the value of true sportsmanship of the eight other participants by helping the injured athlete and deciding to walk together to the finish line as the injured athlete was not able to run anymore. As all the athletes walked down past the finish line while holding hands, the race ended and all of them were awarded a gold medal each. There was no second or third position in the race as all the athletes who took part in the race had won the first prize—the gold medal. They were smiling in a very wide manner and were happy after winning a gold medal in the Special Olympics event. When the audience saw the noble gesture of the athletes walking together past the finish line as one of them was injured and could not run, they gave the athletes a standing ovation. All the runners stood happy and contented as everyone received the gold medal.

The poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’ brings out the theme of empathy and the celebration of human values. Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings from his/her point of view. It means to put oneself into another's shoes. The poem celebrates human values pertaining to kindness, cooperation and empathy. It brings out the idea that caring and sharing is more important than winning or losing an event. The other eight runners were not selfish, as they had stopped running on seeing the youngest runner fall on the track. They also helped him get up. Their sacrifice is inspiring. These eight athletes preferred helping the fallen runner than winning the gold medal. This shows their generous nature.  

Nine gold medals show nine golden hearts. The poem celebrates human values pertaining to kindness, cooperation and empathy. The nine runners were participating in the Special Olympics to achieve their dreams of winning the gold medal. All of them had been strenuously practising for months to run and to win. But the poem brings out the idea that caring and sharing is more important than winning or losing. Sports is not only about winning medals but also about learning values of empathy and cooperation. The poem brings out a situation where the contestants set aside their desire to win and help another contestant who had fallen down. They empathised with him. The contestants came together as a group. They stood by each other and walked together to the finish line and all of them won a gold medal. By awarding gold medals to each one of them, the authorities honoured their display of empathy and human values. The poet gives the message that the spirit of sportsmanship and empathy for fellow human beings is more important than winning a sports competition.

By displaying assistance and benevolence, we prove ourselves stronger. By being selfish and self-object oriented, we consistently betray humanity. When we display commiseration, we attract peoples praise and love. The benefactor and the witnesses are all blessed and inspired. Competitiveness is welcome in sportsman spirit. But, at the juncture of humane need, we must not fall short to sacrifice with benignity.

Disclaimer: Images have been taken from Google sites.

SHYLOCK - A TRAGIC OR A CUNNING VILLAIN OR A PATHETIC CHARACTER - MERCHANT OF VENICE, SHAKESPEAREAN PLAY

 

Shylock

Shylock, in “The Merchant of Venice” has been portrayed, apparently, as an evil Jew and villain. A closer look into this character brings out otherwise notions. He is a foreigner with a deep pocket, frugal mind and devoid of pleasure-seeking emotion. He is a man of fact. But, he loves his wife Leah. He rages at the throw away deal of his engagement Tarquise ring by his extravagant daughter. He does not like Launcelot to laze away time. All his daily activities are guided by profit maximisation.

Shakespeare seems to say that he does not in any way consider Shylock a tragic character. Shylock's conduct, in general, makes a decided comic expression, and particularly in the scene of the outburst of his sorrow and rage at the elopement of his daughter and the loss of his ducats, which alternates the sharpest contrast with his diabolical expressions of joy at the losses experienced by Antonio. His behaviour at the trial scene has somewhat the flavour of comedy, because his whole being, his manner of expressing himself in word and gesture, are obviously described in such a way as to verge upon caricature. And if the punishment which overtakes him is offensive to our feelings, we must bear in mind that the scene of the play belongs to the 16th century, and that Shylock forfeits our pity owing to his inhuman wickedness and hardness of heart, and has lost all claim to human treatment.

The conception of Shylock as a comic character was formerly a common one. He was shown in pictures as a hook-nosed bearded buffoon, with a knife in one hand and weighing scales in the other. He had no more sympathy than a captured hyena would get from the village people. He is a man who was "more sinned against than sinning." It is not open to serious questions that this was passe. The text itself preserves sufficient evidence of the author's fixed intent to exhibit his Shylock as an inhuman scoundrel, whose diabolical cunning intent is bent on gratifying Satanic lust for human flesh. This, indeed, is how Shylock is described by every character in the play who is cast to secure the sympathy of the audience.

His daughter Jessica and his servant Launcelot, are enrolled to heap up the ignominy. This is particularly remarkable, because these characters are invented, and are not in the original story. Another invention-the penalty finally imposed on Shylock, that he become a Christian-is a sufficient indication not only of the dramatist's intention to expose Shylock to shame, but, by the callousness of the punishment, of his unrelenting antipathy to the figure he had been minded to create.

It is most likely that in his racial passion, Shakespeare never consciously meant the character Shylock to be entitled to more sympathy or to less callous cruelty than is meted to him when Salarino and Salanio allow themselves to be merry with him over the flight of Jessica, a disgusting exhibition two of sheer heartlessness (Act III, sc. i). Indeed, Shylock's moral deformity might in great measure be justly attributed to the influence of social circumstances; and he felt that the Jew, even in a temper of malignity, might convincingly show to Christians that their persecuting spirit impressed on his tribe the character that the Jew bore in society. 

Shylock is a man whose intellectual prowess is not to be despised, a man who can deeply feel and powerfully protest against the indignity to which he is subjected. He cannot be allowed any Christian advocate among the dramatis personae, but he himself can demonstrate that it is far more reasonable for him to act according to what was said by them in olden times; 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' than it is for the Christians to boast of the excellence of Gospel charity which their conduct habitually violates. 

Does Antonio’s treatment justify Shylock’s pound of flesh?

Had the Jew been able to present in proper time, and with proper impunity, any wrongs that might have been inflicted on him, his resentment would have had vent and have left his heart capable of charity, but he might had to endure injury and insult, time after time, until his heart became hardened as a stone that would whet keenly the knife of vengeance should legal justice ever give him an opportunity of obtaining redress. Antonio is a philanthropist, doing g0od to others, in contrast.

Shylock is a sharp man of business lacking in sentiments. The Jew can inflict suffering in order to fill his own coffers. Antonio holds the belief that to take interest on lent money is immoral. Antonio insulted Shylock, mocked at his religion, defamed him socially and caused his financial losses. This shocks us, and is far removed from Christian charity. This was an adequate explanation for Shylock's revengeful attitude later on. There is justification for such a view, but too much can be made of it.

The typical "blood-sucking" money lender is a repugnant character. The rich man who makes a fortune by interest on loans is deemed to the poor as evil and a menace to society. Such a man would surely be obnoxious to Antonio. We cannot approve of the manner in which Antonio showers his hot scorn and contempt, but we must conclude that such a man as Shylock deserve scorn and contempt. And the manner in which Antonio had shown this had caused a deep and revengeful hatred to grow up inside Shylock. This hatred is perfectly natural and understandable, but we must not on that account assume that it is legitimate or justifiable. Shylock's ill treatment of Antonio has been largely deserved.

Shylock is a direct foil and contrast to Antonio in every respect. He is loved by all, whereas Shylock does not possess a single friend. His associate, Tubal, goes in search of the runaway Jessica, but on return he reports to Shylock of her acts of extravaganza and has no word of sympathy for him. No one supports Shylock in the court, while all are on the side of Antonio.

Antonio's chief dramatic defect is his want of prudence, which makes him impotent and Lear himself, not an agent of mercy rather at the mercy of others. His attitude towards danger and possible death, in the trial scene, shows calm fortitude. Shylock is an important and dynamic character who has aroused interest and a variety of conflicting criticisms. In him, cruelty and malicious revenge are the main features.

He is of independent character, and this earns him a certain respect. Shakespeare hardly designed him as a villain for whom we should feel only hatred. He knew that a character who is wholly evil aroused only detestation. Shakespeare meant him to be defeated and humiliated, but it was necessary first to arouse interest in him, before making it appear that his punishment was deserved. So he is shown as unyielding in his hatred, and unmoved by the strong appeals of Antonio's powerful friends, even by the Duke himself. We can admire strength in a villain.

Like Macbeth, another wicked character, Shylock retains some sympathy as a strong fighter. He is not given any redeeming qualities to set against his evil. He has a deep pride in his nation and a fanatical love towards his religion. 

Shylock is unlike all other Jews. Tubal and Jessica are also Jews, but entirely different from Shylock, who is not to be accounted for by religion or nationality. He is unusual, possibly because he has brooded over his wrongs so much. He has nursed a sense of injury in his heart till it has become overpowering. Shylock brings on his downfall by his own acts, and they are such as to raise the best feelings of men against him. Strangers are against him, and his overthrow is brought about by the courage of a lady and the skill of a lawyer, neither of whom he has ever seen.

Shakespeare seems to have felt the need of some motive to account for the malignity of Shylock. He makes him speak bitterly for nis treatment at the hands of Antony.