Good English language skills seem to be a prerequisite everywhere. And why shouldn’t it be? After all, English is an international language (and the only one) that is understood on all continents. Even non-English speaking countries have realized the importance of English for faster integration with the global economy. We find thousands of English training institutes, mushrooming at every nook and corner, promising impeccable English language skills in a jiffy. All major management entrance exams test candidates’ ability in various applications of the English language.
People claim excellent English language skills on their resumes. But they hesitate when asked to write a simple business letter. Even the top managers, who draw enormous salaries, in the major business conglomerates write broken English. So where exactly do people go wrong in their approach to improving English skills?
the english myth
1. English can be improved in 30 days: learning is a continuous process. There is nothing called 100% perfection. However, reaching a certain level of proficiency takes years. Books and training classes that offer “guarantees” are only lining their coffers.
2. Learn a word list of 3000 words by heart and you will be fluent in English! Learning 3,000 words by heart may not be of much use unless you know how to fit them into your daily use. For example: “Kill” can be used as both a noun and a verb.
3. English improves by speaking daily: Unless you improve/correct your fundamentals, you will be repeating the same mistakes on a daily basis. Talking daily can only boost your confidence and nothing else.
4. If the vocabulary is strong, the grammar comes automatically: if you know how to change gear in a car, does that imply that you will automatically learn to use the wheel? Wrong. Similarly, vocabulary building and grammar learning require a complementary approach.
5. Vocabulary is more important than grammar: In a car, is the brake more important than the clutch? A grammatically correct statement requires knowledge of both vocabulary and grammar.
6. Spoken and written English are different: Although there are various schools of thought on this subject, English in both forms should be the same. However, when speaking there is some flexibility considering the redundancy of punctuation.
7. Using Power Words Indicates Fluency in the English Language: Using the right words at the right time is more important than using power words. Also, using strong words in an incorrectly framed sentence does more harm than good. In addition, as a principle it is imperative that the message is understood by the receiver.
8. Vocabulary must be learned before grammar: Do you learn to use the accelerator pedal first and then the brake? Both must be learned simultaneously. Similarly, vocabulary and grammar go hand in hand.
9. English is not our national/official language: Pursuant to Section 3 of the Official Languages Act 1963 (as amended 1967); general permission unlimited in time for the use of English has been granted.
10. Communication within the office by email, etc. it doesn’t need to be well worded: this reason has its roots in childhood days, where children assure their parents good results in the final exam while failing all class tests. Good writing should become a habit, not an exception. The use of SMS jargon should be strictly avoided.
11. Perfect English Is For Fiction Writers And Not Corporate Employees: As the old adage goes, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” a well-written business letter/report/resume can get your points across more easily compared to with the inferiors A well-crafted resume can be compared to a shabby resume (although the latter may be better rated).
It is essential to understand that there is a defined structure to master this language. Also, the domain doesn’t arrive in 30 days (as some books claim).
The myth of the training class
Have you ever seen the study material provided by most English coaching classes? You will find vocabulary lists, plural lists, gender lists, noun/adjective/adverb form lists, some introduction to basic grammar followed by many exercises.
His modus operandi is quite simple. Put some fancy words in people’s mouths and earn money. This is nothing more than cosmetic English.
Basic English Anatomy
Grammar is the heart of any language, with the vocabulary built around it. The set of rules that are used to place the appropriate words in a grammatically correct sentence is called syntax. Grammar can be classified into two types: prescriptive grammar and descriptive grammar. Prescriptive grammar provides rules for correct usage, while descriptive grammar describes how a language is actually used.
Words are divided into different classes based on the role they play. Generally speaking, words are divided into 8 parts of speech: namely, noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
The concept of parts of speech is supposed to be the backbone of grammar. Usage varies by time, genre, quantity, quality, mood, and circumstance. The above only provides an introduction to the English language and to achieve perfection requires detailed study.
Placing words in the correct place in a sentence gives logical meaning to any sentence. Also, the correct grammatical form of the word must be used in the proper place in the sentence. For example: “I will drive to Pune tomorrow” uses the word ‘drive’ in the verb form, while the sentence “We are going for a long drive” uses it in the noun form. Using the correct spelling in the correct place is also essential. The spelling per se may be correct, but the usage in that particular statement may be incorrect.
Some people confuse English with fluent conversation, the use of accents and slang words. English is not about using international accents or slang words. Also, scoring 85% on a descriptive English language paper does not mean high intellectual ability in English. The ability to understand, interpret and explain is beyond the scope of any rote learning activity!
