Spoken English

The Need

It has now become clear that English is the lingua franca of the global economy and that, in order to be universally understood and accepted in any educational, commercial or social situation, a knowledge of English is necessary. Apart from this, languages are the media through which national and international integration can be achieved. The cultures of other countries find a meeting point in English. It is , therefore, necessary to have a knowledge of both Spoken as well as Written English in order to make a contribution to every aspect of life.

It has now become clear that English is the lingua franca of the global economy and that, in order to be universally understood and accepted in any educational, commercial or social situation, a knowledge of English is necessary. Apart from this, languages are the media through which national and international integration can be achieved. The cultures of other countries find a meeting point in English.It is , therefore, necessary to have a knowledge of both Spoken as well as Written English in order to make a contribution to every aspect of life.

Every candidate who joins the course has to view this course from this standpoint of fulfilling his or her place in society.

The Batches

Batches (In Year)

First Batch: June to September.

Second Batch: October to December.

Third Batch: January to April.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.(Special training programmes may be organized, if possible, during the period for Effective Communication Skills, Group Discussions, etc.)

Fee Structure

The above fee structure is subject to change with increase in the cost of text books.
The tuition fee is not refundable once the classes commence.
However, only the course material fee will be refunded if the candidate applies in writing for discontinuing the course for personal reasons.
Alternatively, the candidate can join the next session after 3 months by special permission given by the Co-ordinator.

ID CARD

Every student will be given an Identity Card, which must be shown without fail to the staff while entering the class every time.

The following points may be noted:

1. The Identity Card is not transferable.

2. Its loss must be immediately reported to the office.

3. A duplicate card will be issued on a payment of Rs.100/- only.

INDUCTION CEREMONY

In order to create a feeling of belonging to a group with a common purpose, an Induction Ceremony will be held in the Ashrama premises before the classes commence.During the Induction Ceremony, Faculty Members will be introduced to the candidates of the course. And the rules and regulations of the Ashrama will be made clear to the candidates.Attendance to the ceremony is compulsory.

A test to evaluate the standard of the candidate will be held for all the students of the three levels on the first session of the course. This is in order to put the candidates in the right level of the course.This is merely an Evaluation Test and not an Entrance Test. So, Please Note:-

1. If the Basic Students cannot perform well, they will be shifted to the Foundation Level.

2. If the Inter Level Students cannot perform well, they will be shifted either to the Basic Level or to the Foundation Level.

SCHEDULE AND TIMINGS

Classes will be held in the Ashrama Premises.

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama.
No.3, Maharajapuram Santhanam Salai, T.Nagar, Chennai – 600 017.

Tel Phone: 044 – 2814 2014, E-mail: mail@rkmchennai.org, rkmchennai@gmail.com, chennai.mission@rkmm.org
Web: www.rkmissionchennai.org.

SELF ASSESSMENT

Frequently Asked Questions:-

You are probably at the Intermediate Level if . . .

You understand spoken sentences and some conversations on a variety of topics, but cannot always understand the main ideas and/or details. You can have conversations on a variety of topics and can express your basic needs and feelings in normal social situations. You understand simple written texts on general topics while reading at a steady pace.You can write paragraphs with simple organization and development with some errors in grammar and sentence structure.

You are probably at the Advanced Level if . . .

You understand most spoken English – including complex discourses -- and have a consistent ability to grasp both main ideas and details. You can communicate using appropriate speech including complex language, and are able to tailor your speech to different audiences. You are proficient at comprehending complex written materials on unfamiliar topics while maintaining a steady reading pace. Your writing demonstrates competent organization and development; you make some errors in grammar and sentence structure but these rarely obscure meaning.

The success of our Spoken English Course is due to:

Sincere and dedicated service of the monks, faculty members and the staff of the Ashrama.
Serene and sanctifying atmosphere of the Ashrama.
Self-discipline, sincerity, punctuality, regularity and co-operation of the students.

Some Important Points:

Please submit the application form and fees, only if you can adhere to the class timings and be regular.
Minimum educational qualification for joining the course is a pass in Higher Secondary or equivalent Diploma.
A bell is rung 10 minutes before the classes. Students have to assemble in the prayer hall in an orderly manner, with their Identity Cards and Prayer Books in hand.
Prayer Book and ID Card MUST be shown to the Staff or volunteers before entering the Prayer Hall. Students without ID Card and Prayer Book will not be permitted to attend the classes.
Students will attend the classes only in the section allotted to them. Any change in the section or the batch will not be permitted or encouraged.
Girls and boys will sit separately in the classroom.
Students must spend at least one hour daily, revising the lessons at home. Any given assignments should be completed before attending the next class. Students must bring their textbooks to the classes.
Strict silence is to be maintained in the Prayer Hall and while moving in the premises.
The Medium of Instruction is in English only.
In case of any difficulty or problem, students can individually contact the Co-ordination to redress their problems.
The above list is not exhaustive and is subject to additions and alterations by the Co-ordination without any prior notice.
Punctuality is very essential. Late-coming or abstaining from the classes will lead to losing of marks.
Good manners and behavior are expected at all times.
The use of cell phones, recorders, cameras, radios are strictly prohibited within the campus during the class hour.
We expect the students to take the above guidelines seriously, sincerely and in a positive spirit. Because, it is an opportunity for them to develop their character and personality through self-discipline and self-effort.
The Ashrama reserves the rights of continuing the course to any candidate transgressing its codes of behavior.

SYLLABUS

Basic Level

Introduction to eight parts of speech (Class room practice) / Usage of is, was, where, etc. / Pronouns / questions / spelling skills / Usage of that, this, those, these, a, an / singular / plural / my friends and I / A day in the life of.... / Talking about work / The Ideal Office / Job / The interview / Reading Practice / Telling a Story / Responsibilities and Duties / Describing people and their actions, situation, pictures, etc. / written communication.

Intermediate Level

Introduction / Revision of Pronouns + Prepositions + Tenses + Types of Sentences + Question Tags / Describing Journey / Requesting : Raise / Favors / Accommodation / Asserting one’s abilities / Learning about people / Talking about one’s ambitions / Duties at work / Learning about other culture.

Advanced Level

Conversation practice, sentence structure, synthesis and analysis of sentences, phonetics, idioms and proverbs, phrase verbs, art of public speaking, debates, creative writing, essay writing,group discussions and much more.

Library Facility

Our Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Library and Reading-Room has nearly 12,500 titles on topics like Psychology, Religion, Technology, Self-improvement, Literature, etc. The students of the Spoken English Course may use the Library, by showing their ID Cards, to develop their reading skills.

The students may contact the Librarian for other details.

Swami Vivekananda on Language

Language is the vehicle of ideas. It is the ideas that are of prime importance, language comes after.Human language is the attempt to express the truth that is within.

Language is the chief means and index of a nation’s progress.

What we need, you know, is to study, independent of foreign control, different branches of the knowledge that is our own, and with it the English language and Western science; we need technical education and all else that may develop industries so that men, instead of seeking for service, may earn enough to provide for themselves, and save something against a rainy day.

My success is due to my popular style – the greatness of a teacher consists in the simplicity of his language.

Simplicity is the secret. My ideal of language is my Master’s language, most colloquial and yet most expressive. It must express the thought which is intended to be conveyed