The profile of the English language learner is changing, those that come to our school of English aged 17 and 18 will no longer be struggling pre-intermediate students looking to banish the ghosts of grammatically intensive classes and insecurities plaguing their communicative ability. As teachers we will no longer be able to merely put learners into pairs give them a topic and watch them enjoy the process of learning. Surely an over simplification of the role of the teacher in the English language classroom process I hear you say, and a statement that does not do justice to the sophistication of English Language Learning pedagogy, methodology and the years of research that has gone into answering the fundamental question: How do people learn English? And yes you are correct, however, it does serve the purpose of illustrating the point that what previously has been the norm, may not be sufficient to meet the need of the next generation of learners who are coming to our school of English to improve their level.
The reason for this is simple, dictated by Europe wide and national government policy around the world, learners are beginning to learn English in their home countries, en masse, from a younger age. They have a five year head start on the generation that preceded them, no longer are they beginning their second language acquisition as they reach the end of what we would call primary school, they are starting at the beginning of the school cycle, which means they are learning English from the age of 4 or 5 years, instead of 9 or 10 years. The impact of this will be, (and it is starting to filter through now), that our 17 and 18 year old English Language Learners will be competent, confident users of the language (B2 on the Common European Framework or upper intermediate) and, as a consequence of their increased level and their perceived goal to achieve a higher level of English (C1), their needs will be vastly different.
What are their needs? Well, as mentioned above, they need to reach the magic level of CEF C1 or (advanced), and they need to do it in an interesting way. In short, they need to learn English through content. They need maximum exposure to authentic input in subject specific areas that are relevant and interesting. They also need a certain level of skill development in regard to learning how to use the language at this level and within these contexts.
We at Griffith Institute of Language (Griffith College’s English School) have recently developed several English Language courses to cater for this type of learner. We have General English (20 hours) + 5 hours of ‘Journalism for Learners of English’ or General English (15 hours) + 10 hours ‘Law for Learners of English’. Separate to these courses we have an English course that combines actual content modules in Business, Law, Journalism, Design and Computing with English Language Classes. We continue to refine and develop our English language courses to meet the need of the learner and expect other courses to come on stream soon. We believe that this is the way forward for English language learning, and the market will increasingly demand it. It is a new and exciting development for our English Language School and we anticipate great success and growth in this area in the future.
Urdu Language – Light on Challenging Issues
Every Language has great importance for users. It is source of knowledge, information and communication to meet the human thirst for interaction and sharing. Scholars have concluded language as light of mind and soul of innovation. Language is true reflection of value, culture and demographics of its users. Furthermore, in broader sense national ideology and integrity are associated with the Creativity of language.
Since the evolution of Urdu language it has faced great challenges in the subcontinent. Dominating entities have always suppressed language to jeopardize its creativity and versatility. Urdu has played great role for the whole subcontinent. It united people for freedom and raising revolt against the injustice of British Rule.
Despite facing different challenges Urdu has still preserved in its innovation, diversification and beauty of the language.
Urdu creative poets and writers have blessed Urdu literature with the fine publication of Stories, Dramas, Journalism and unique poetry materials. Influential Urdu leaders have put up great efforts to make the national and international fraternities aware about the creative competence of the language. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan through his amazing intellectual publications defended Urdu against the suppressive elements. In the same era other Urdu Creative writers came up with classical and artistic publications to project the ability of the language.
Urdu Literature has proved the versatility and Ability of the language in the following capacities:
Poetry has always maintained a dominating position in Urdu literature. Famous Poets like Iqbal, Mir and Ghalib introduced a unique style in their poetry creations. Especially the Mir for the first time had used simple words to express deep thoughts and emotions. Ghalib introduced wit and humor to give readers new style and innovation.
Today we are lagging behind the world because we have stopped reading and consulting Urdu Literature for knowledge and growth. Urdu literature has great strength to deal with different societal flaws and loops.
Benefits of Urdu Literature for our nation
· Literature can help building strong character of youth
· Urdu literature can help our nation to recognize national ideology and interests
· A solution to cope with rising trend for Westernization
· Our coming generation would be well informed about the Historic Past
. Nation will be informed and more productive
· Urdu literature is knowledge and knowledge is competitiveness for better future
· Element of Foreign depends will be reduced with recognizing national modesty
It is our collective responsibility that we should work for Urdu to elaborate its creativity and attractiveness. Further, it is the duty of Government to ensure at every level in the society that people are motivated and encouraged to learn and share Urdu Literature. Efforts must be made to arrange gatherings at the city and town levels to pay tribute to famous Urdu writers and poets.
Online Urdu learning portal is good opportunity for people to seek help from Qualified Urdu teachers.
Let’s grow and prosper with the stupendous strength of Urdu Literature, for more information about Online Urdu Portals Search on internet.
Asad have keen interest in urdu poetry and Urdu literature. Asad have read many books on Urdu literature which forced him to continue studying and exploring Urdu. Feel free to contact Asad at asad_asrar@yahoo.com
Penetration of Urdu Language Among The Masses
The Urdu language is hundreds of years old. This language was made up by the junior ranked soldiers; however, it found acceptability in the royal courts. The Urdu language is not the mother tongue of the most of the people of the Indian subcontinent. Yet it is an interesting phenomenon how it has penetrated among the masses, which never used to speak anything other than their mother tongue.
Initial penetration of Urdu Language
Initially Persian was the language of the royal courts. However, the Mughals found special interest in Urdu for the sole reason that it was a mix of several languages. Their vision let them see that if they promote Urdu, it would become a source of harmony for so many people from different ethnicities in the subcontinent.
In the times of the Mughals, the Urdu poetry was always promoted. The royals found a special affinity for the poetry. They used to allocate resources separately for the scholarships of the poets. Thus, more and more people used to attempt at the Urdu poetry.
In the British Raj, along with Urdu poetry, the Urdu journalism was also a way to reach the masses. In those times, the poetry too was dominantly regarding the current affairs and the state of Muslims in the subcontinent. The first Urdu novel came out in 1868. It was an instant hit.
Current penetration of Urdu language
Times are changing rapidly. The Urdu poetry saw a peak in the 18th and 19th century. However now it is of mediocre nature. Other than that, the Urdu journalism and novel contributed towards the development of Urdu before. Now the language is developed. The means of entertainment mostly contribute to the spread and promotion of Urdu language.
In Pakistan, there have been various digests for the fiction. These digests have contributed a lot on spreading Urdu to different regions of Pakistan. Their stories are always very interesting and gripping. Therefore, people read them profusely.
The Urdu songs, Ghazals and Qawalis have always been a great source of the spread of Urdu. The credit goes to the poets, singers and the musicians who work hard on every piece. Even internationally, the Urdu Ghazal and Qawali are renowned. People love them so much and naturally, they pick Urdu words from these melodies.
In all the regions of the Indian subcontinent (including Pakistani and Bengali regions), the Bollywood movies have a huge fan base. These movies are in Hindi language, which is just a slight variation of the Urdu language. Resultantly people pick up words. The regular viewers can even converse in Urdu with great ease.
Ismail Merchant once gave a very wise statement regarding the language used in the Bollywood movies.
He said, “A few words of Hindi appear here or there, but it’s all Urdu. I feel that if the popular culture, which is what Hindi films are, uses Urdu, it’s not going to diminish”.
Asad have keen interest in Urdu poetry and Urdu literature. Asad have read many books on Urdu literature which forced him to continue studying and exploring Urdu. Feel free to contact Asad at asad_asrar@yahoo.com
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