English for competitive exams

preparing for English paper

1. English for Competitive Exams SHRUTI JOSHI Asst. Prof. Dept. of English Vivekanand College, Kolhapur.

2. 80% of the world’s electronically stored information is in English. Three-quarters of the world’s mail is written in English . 80% of Internet users communicate in English . the main language of books, newspapers , airports, and air-traffic control , international business and technology, diplomacy , sport, international competitions, pop music, and advertising . Language of administration in India 2 The facts about English

3. To get a better job or a promotion. To study in an English-speaking country To present a research paper in an international conference. To help your students learn English well To pass a required examination 3 Why do you want to learn English ?

4. School level Entrance exams for vocational courses, different institutes and universities UGC exams Defence exams Bank exams Railway Research Civil services SSC Competitive exams

5. SSC exam pattern

6. we don’t spend enough time learning English. we are too passive about learning English. we don’t review and revise what we have learned. we rely on our native language too much. we are always focused on our mistakes. we don’t put things in context nor implement. We are not confident and afraid of making mistakes. Reasons why our English isn’t improving

7. Make it a part of life No short cuts, no formula, no tricks. Enjoy the learning experience. Recognise your drawbacks Cultivate habit of reading Focus- grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. Ways to improve English

8. From regional medium school Limited learning (notes of grammar- going through before exam) No day-to-day learning Preparing GK, current affairs in regional language Restricting from the standard study material in English. Preparing just from exam point of view. Recognise your drawbacks-

9. Cultivate habit of reading

10. Newspapers Whatever you feel like, e.g. romantic novels No compulsion Switch to different things Be patient Be consistent Reading habit helpful in comprehension and spotting errors. Creative writing.

11. The Language Skills Receptive Productive Oral Listening Speaking Written Reading Writing

12. Watch TV and English movies (with subtitles) Listen to radio (BBC), audio books, English language DVDs, CDs Listen and Sing English songs Record yourself, listen carefully – weaknesses and strengths of pronunciation Joining conversation groups/one-on-one conversations How to improve listening?

13. read aloud Have small talks in public Join one-on-one conversations, conversation and common interest groups Have friends who speak English well. Learn IPA(International Phonetic Alphabet) Speak slowly, clearly. Select words carefully. Give yourself time to think. How to improve speaking?

14. Read aloud stressing words correctly Pay attention to punctuation marks Read children’s books as a starting point, then abridged classics, magazines, news papers (with simple language), comics and cartoon strips. How to improve reading?

15. Learn English grammar and vocabulary Understand the basic subject-verb sentence structure correct spellings, punctuation Write e-mails, Blogs, notes, text messages. Dictations Essays, stories, poems – creative writing How to improve writing?

16. Read picture books or comics Read newspapers and magazines Ask questions during conversations Watch TV and movies Browse English websites Consult dictionaries Constantly learn new words Clarify meaning of slang and idioms Know grammar How to improve comprehension?

17. Listen to native English and imitate (use language labs- CDs) Read along with audio books Speak, being corrected or asking for correct pronunciation and repeating after Pay attention to letter combination sounds, stressed syllables, word linkage and intonation Train speech organs position, shape and movement of English sounds How to improve pronunciation?

18. Reading, listening, writing and speaking Using subject-verb structure Differentiating questions from statements Understanding parts of speech Practicing verb tenses Knowing words beyond their meaning Learning phrasal verbs Doing grammar exercises-drills Quizzing yourself How to improve grammar?

19. Note down new words, look for their meaning in the dictionary. Learn root words, prefixes, suffixes. Think about the things around you in English before thinking in mother tongue. Read a lot. Use new words while speaking. How to improve vocabulary?

20. Make mistakes. Don’t hesitate to take risks and experiment. Be patient and never give up. Take physical action. Grasp concepts. Use it. Enjoy it. Think positively. The secret behind learning English effectively is :

21. English language CDs, DVDs, TV, English movies (something you can listen and watch over and over again), radio(BBC). Internet- you tube videos for learning English, read articles/books, play language games, give tests, chat on social networking sites. Smart phones and ipods - listening to audio books, songs, reading downloaded texts, dictionary apps, language games. Use technology

22. YES. With minimum competency in English- you will ‘clear’ not ‘pass’ the exams. As compared to the fluent candidates, your performance in interview will be less effective. All administrative correspondence is mainly in English. Is English really necessary for competitive exams?

23. You can do it! Difficult, not impossible. With proper planning and confidence, you can improve. Enjoy the learning process, don’t mug up.

24. BEST OF LUCK!

25. THANK YOU