Think in English Blog

Saturday, March 4, 2017

LIFE IN KERALA

Write an email to your friend who has been living abroad for the past twenty five years, since 1990; about how life in Kerala has been changing and what you think about the next ten years- a glance into the future.

Dear Ramesh

How are you? How’s your family? It has been a long time since we had an interaction. So I thought of writing a mail which can make up for all the time that has passed since we last shared our feelings and thoughts.

You would be eager to know how our state Kerala has changed in the last quarter century. Yes, there have been enormous changes – in all walks of life. Let’s us observe all the major ones, one by one.

Lifestyle has improved a lot in Kerala, almost on par with the developed societies especially houses and other facilities. Food consumption has increased. The sedentary life style has also led to a rise in lifestyle diseases.

Communication tools like mobile phones, Internet, computers and laptops have become very common. But this has lessened the old custom of face to face communication. Also a lot of abuse and misuse of modern communication have taken place.

Health sector has developed. A lot of hospitals with hi-tech facilities have come up. People from other countries also visit our state for health treatment.

Environment has suffered because of pollution and deforestation. The summers have become hotter and rainfall has reduced affecting crops.

Food habits have changed. We eat more and work less. Home-made food has been replaced by fast food and bakery items.

Financial condition of NRI’s, employees has improved but those doing manual jobs and daily wage workers are not secure financially.

Politics has moved away from people. It has become more party based, caste based etc.

Sports in Kerala has become more diversified with people pursuing games like Cricket, Hockey etc.

Gender roles have become more flexible. Female population is more active and taking interest in all types of activities previously taken up by males. Equality is the buzzword nowadays.

Social issues like stray dog issue, women’s security and pollution are worrying us.

Law and order is many times threatened by incidents of ragging, cyber crimes, drug abuse, child abuse and crimes against women.

Education has undergone a vast change in curriculum design and delivery. But the abilities acquired by students are still not satisfactory enough. Although more and more students are getting educated with Information Technology (IT) and better infrastructural facilities, the quality has to improve further for getting better jobs. But the silver lining is that the female population has become more educated than the male population. Besides this, the privatization of education has led to more number of professional colleges which has further reduced the quality of education.

Jobs and employment sector especially in technical jobs like welding, carpentry etc. need more care and attention. Govt. and private sector should be able to employ the technicians with better salaries.

Cast mindset of Keralites is still strong which restricts them from overcoming caste barriers. But it must be said that the backward castes have become stronger socially and financially with the reservation and other affirmative policies of the state.

Development is happening at a very fast pace in many sectors mainly in areas like construction, technology etc.

Family life has in many ways disintegrated with the advent of nuclear families, new gadgets like mobiles, smart phones, TV etc. Elderly people in families have become isolated and neglected because of fast and busy life of young generations.

Roads have been built throughout Kerala reaching even remote areas of rural areas resulting in high land prices all over giving a big boost to the real estate sector.

Culture has undergone a sea change in Kerala as lives have become fast and busy. People think more of their rights than duties. Life skills, traditional values and social ethics have eroded.

Media has helped in making NEWS, entertainment. Sports accessible to us 24X7 anywhere and anytime.

A healthy entertainment is missing in the lives of many people in our society. This results in stress and strain in relationships and personal lives.

Religion has been very a dominating force in society in the last few decades. People are showing more passion in using religious symbols and observing rituals.

Travelling and transportation has become more user-friendly and pleasurable. But the roads have become too much crowded with two wheelers and cars. Driving has empowered females and given them wings to realize their aspirations. Visiting distant places has become a family hobby.

Consumerism has been defining our habits and happiness in many ways. Success is nowadays measured in terms of how much a person has been able to buy and acquire and not by his virtues in character.

With this, I conclude my observations about Kerala. Hope you have enjoyed reading it.

Your ever-loving friend

Raj Thekkayil

Friday, March 3, 2017

An open letter to the Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi

Sir

SUB: Our common citizens and socially backward should have a voice – a powerful voice.

Today English language is a tool for communication and education. English words are very common in daily transactions at banks, shops, hotels, etc in India. English medium schools have become the first choice for parents and children in all states and union territories across India.

The next step is to make our citizens (especially the weaker sections including women and children) learn to make English sentences on their own. We need schools, colleges and institutions that cater to one of the most important demand of our learners – to make them good communicators in English so that they have access to the best jobs and opportunities nationally and globally. And above all, our common citizens and socially backward should have a voice – a powerful voice.

Yours sincerely
Vinod Kaliyath

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EDUCATION MINISTER, KERALA

From

Vinod Kaliyath

English Trainer (Kozhikode)

The Education Minister of Kerala

Sir,

SUB: Sharing a few thoughts on improving English language skills of our students.

As a person who has been taking English classes for the last few years, I feel that we Keralites have not explored the power of English communication in making ourselves more employable globally and also to register our voice at national and international levels. The reason for this is that we are not innovative in developing new methods and techniques in learning and teaching English at our educational institutions.

To make our students more interested in English language we need to have good libraries having books that relate to students’ lives, aspirations, imagination, dreams, issues, anxieties, adventure etc. The next step is conducting discussions on different issues faced by students. The best speakers have to be given credit at school and higher levels. Every week a speech has to be given by a student about a book that inspired them to do better in life. Every year the people should know who among them is the best with respect to English language skills like writing, speaking etc.

Besides these, the teachers have to teach the students how to give speeches, how to interact with people and also how to participate in group discussions.

The students should be encouraged to write poems, stories, dramas, short film scripts in English and these should be published in school magazines.

And the most important thing is that they should be encouraged to think in English by teaching them a range of English sentences which can be used for self-expression and self-empowerment.

In short, schools/colleges/institutions/organizations should become nurturing grounds for pursuing excellence in practicing and improving English language skills so that our state is able to voice its rights and needs through our English speakers.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully

Vinod Kaliyath

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

TRAINING PROGRAM AT ITI

Day 1 (6^th March 2017)

Think in English using 40 English Sentences….laying the foundation.

ENGLISH SENTENCES

Thinking and communication is asking questions and giving answers.

What…..Subject

How…..Information

Thoughts about class….statements

TYPES of English Sentences - SPAR

1. It is interesting – PRESENT STATE

2. It was interesting – PAST STATE

3. It will be interesting – FUTURE STATE

4. It has been interesting till now – PRESENT STATE + DURATION OF TIME

5. It has 26 participants – PRESENT POSSESSION

6. It had 25 participants – PAST POSSESSION

7. It will have 27 participants – FUTURE POSSESSION

8. There are six fans in this class. PRESENT REAL OBSERVATION

9. There were five fans in this class. PAST REAL OBSERVATION

10. There will be seven fans in this class. FUTURE REAL OBSERVATION

1. Is it interesting? – PRESENT STATE

2. Was it interesting? – PAST STATE

3. Will it be interesting? – FUTURE STATE

4. Has it been interesting till now? – PRESENT STATE + DURATION OF TIME

5. Does it have 26 participants? – PRESENT POSSESSION

6. Did it have 25 participants? – PAST POSSESSION

7. Will it have 27 participants? – FUTURE POSSESSION

8. Are there six fans in this class? PRESENT REAL OBSERVATION

9. Were there five fans in this class? PAST REAL OBSERVATION

10. Will there be seven fans in this class? FUTURE REAL OBSERVATION

It is helping me to improve my English - ACTION

Present Actions

1. Lal acts in movies. HABIT

2. He likes travelling. ATTITUDE

3. He acting in a war movie now. LIVE ACTION

4. He is shooting tomorrow. FUTURE ACTION

5. He has got two national awards. PAST ACTION

6. He has been acting for 35 years. LIVE ACTION + TIME PERIOD

PAST ACTIONS

7. He acted last in Oppam. PAST ACTION

8. He was working with Priyan in Oppam. LIVE ACTION

FUTURE ACTIONS

9. He will act in Lucifer. FUTURE ACTION

10. He will be working with Prithviraj. LIVE ACTION

Present Actions

1. Does Lal act in movies? HABIT

2. Does he like travelling?ATTITUDE

3. Is he acting in a war movie now? LIVE ACTION

4. Is he shooting tomorrow? FUTURE ACTION

5. Has he got two national awards? PAST ACTION

6. Has he been acting for 35 years? LIVE ACTION + TIME PERIOD

a. PAST ACTIONS

7. Did he act last in Oppam? PAST ACTION

8. Was he working with Priyan in Oppam? LIVE ACTION

a. FUTURE ACTIONS

9. Will he act in Lucifer? FUTURE ACTION

10. Will he be working with Prithviraj? LIVE ACTION

PASSIVE ACTION

1. Are movies made by him?

2. Are Action movies liked by him?

3. Is an action movie being made by him now?

4. Is a new movie being made by him next year?

5. Have five movies been made by him?

6. Was a good movie made by him last year?

7. Was a Tamil movie being made by him last year?

8. Will a Hindi movie be made by him in future?

MODALS

1. I shall play.

2. I would like to play.

3. I can play.

4. I could play.

5. I must play.

6. I should play.

7. I used to play.

8. I have to play.

9. I need to play.

10. I may play.

11. I might play.

12. I ought to play.

Making Yes/No questions

1. Shall I play?

2. Would I like to play?

3. Can I play?

4. Could I play?

5. Must I play?

6. Should I play?

7. Do I have to play?

8. Do I ought to play?

9. Do I need to play?

10. Did I use to play?

11. May I play?

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Day 2 (7 th March 2017)

Wh –questions.

How was the class? STATE

How many participants were there in the class? REALITY

When and where did you have the class? POSSESSION

Who took the class? ACTION

It was useful.

There were 26 participants.

We had it at Women’s ITI, Malikadavu from 10 am to 4 pm.

Mr. Vinod Kaliyath took the class.

NEGATIVE QUESTIONS

Wasn’t the class useful?

Weren’t there 26 participants?

Didn’t you have it at Women’s ITI from 10 am to 4 pm?

Didn’t Mr.Vinod take the class?

QUESTION TAGS

It was useful, wasn’t it?

There were 26 participants, weren’t there?

We had it at Women’s ITI, Malikadavu from 10 am to 4 pm, didn’t we?

Mr. Vinod Kaliyath took the class, didn’t he?

We have learnt four question types.

ADDING INFORMATION with prepositions.

Jassir has come…to meet you…with his father…for giving the invitation…of his sister’s marriage…on 21^st of March…at 11 am…at their house…in Beypore…near the LP school.

FORTY PLUS SENTENCES…

There has been six meetings this week.

Lal had acted as a villain in many movies before becoming the hero.

Lal had acted as a villain in many movies before he became the hero.

Lal had been acting as a villain in many movies before becoming the hero.

He will have completed the war movie by the end of March.

He will have been working in the war movie for one year by the end of March.

Tomorrow the class starts at 10 am.

I have had two classes this week.

WRITING SKILLS

A letter to the Education Minister, Kerala sharing some suggestions to improve the English language skills of students in general.

From

Vinod Kaliyath

English Teacher (Kozhikode)

The Education Minister of Kerala

Sir,

SUB: Sharing a few thoughts on improving English skills of our students.

As a person who has been taking English classes for the last few years I feel that we Keralites have not explored the power of English communication in making themselves more employable globally and also to register their voice at national level. The reason for this is that we are not innovative in developing new methods and techniques in learning and teaching English at our educational institutions.

Besides these, the teachers have to teach the students how to give speeches, how to interact with people and also how to participate in group discussions.

The students should be encouraged to write poems, stories, dramas, short film scripts in English and these should be published in school magazines.

And the most important thing is that they should be encouraged to think in English by teaching them a range of English sentences which can be used for self expression and self empowerment.

In short, schools/colleges/institutions/organizations should become nurturing grounds for pursuing excellence in using and improving English language skills.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully

Vinod Kaliyath

Making IF sentences

I will come to Canada if you send me the visiting visa…..A plan in future.

I would go to Canada if I got a visa… A dream in future.

I would have gone to Canada if I had got a job visa…A regret or an impossible chance.

READING SKILLS

Scanning

Skimming

Speed Reading…..

Reading phrase by phrase….and not word by word…..

Reordering….Re-reading

Reading --- Comprehension

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Day 3 (8 th March 2017)

To persuade someone of the merits of ……SELL

From

Raj Thekkayil

Address

The Manager

ABC School

Calicut-1

Sir,

SUB: To apply for the post of a teacher in your reputed school.

REF: Advt. in Indian Express on 20 th Feb 2017

This is to bring to your kind notice that I would like to be considered for the post of a teacher in your reputed school. I am enclosing a copy of my resume so that you may examine my qualifications.

May I request you to consider my candidature for the above mentioned post.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully

Raj Thekkayil

Sign

Date

Place

RAJ THEKKAYIL

ADDRESS WITH MOBILE NO AND EMAIL ID

WORK PROFILE A well qualified teaching professional with a vision to bring a change in the life of his students.

A well qualified and experienced teaching professional with a proven track record.

WORK EXPERIENCE

SL NO	WORK PLACE	POSITION	PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT	NATURE OF DUTY

EDUCATIONAL DETAILS

SL NO	COURSE	SCHOOL/COLLEGE	BOARD/UNIVERSITY	PERCENTAGE OF MARKS	YEAR OF PASSING

PERSONAL DETAILS

NAME

SEX

AGE; DATE OF BIRTH

NATIVE PLACE

NATIONALITY

FATHER’S NAME; STATUS

LANGUAGES KNOWN

COMPUTER SKILLS

HOBBIES

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NAME

PLACE

SIGN

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

Date: 8 March 2017

To: Production Manager

From: Personnel Manager

Subject: CHANGE IN WORKING HOURS

Please refer to your memo pd/21 dated 2^nd Feb 2017 requesting for a change in working hours of your division because of the extremely hot weather conditions.

As desired by you, the Vice President, Personnel, has agreed to change the working hours. The new timings will be 7.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m. (Monday through Saturday) with effect from 17^th March 2017 to 1^st June 2017.

Kindly inform all the employees working under you.

K.S Shah

PUBLIC SPEAKING

SUBJECT: Inspire others THROUGH A SPEECH in English to visit a place/read a book/see a movie/meet a person/watch a TV program/buy a product/do a job/have a dish/an experience- something that gave you a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction.

You can write five sentences on the topic and give the speech and then explain the details as and when needed.

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Day 4 (9 th March 2017)

Dear Ramesh