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Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1
Background
In the world of globalization, English has increasingly
become the medium in
every domain of communication, both in local and global contexts. As a result, the
demand for using English effectively is necessary in every country. Teaching and
learning English, except for the native language, is thus
crucial for communicative
purposes to cope with the growing local, national and international demands for English
skills. In Bangladesh, English is considered as a foreign language, and is used for the
purposes of academic advancement, career advancement, and traveling abroad. To
cope with the growing local and international demand, a number of efforts from all
parties involved have been made to the Bangladeshi educational system to help boost
the
learners‟ English performance.
The process of learning English is slow and
progressive and it could be
interpreted as a series of challenges to face. This process consists of the development
of certain skills. According to the common framework, these are divided into productive
and receptive. Receptive skills comprise reading and listening. They are important
because they allow learners to understand contents, textbooks, works or documents.
Productive skillsare consist of speaking and writing and they are significant because
they permit learners to perform in communicative aspects
such as oral presentations,
written studies and reports among others. Therefore, these skills need to be developed
and learnt properly.
According to the experiences of many teachers as well as learners of foreign
languages, most difficulties are found in the process of learning and teaching productive
skills. On the other hand different methods, approaches and techniques are invented to
make the teaching and learning process of productive skills easier both for teachers and
learners. Thus the main purpose of this study is to identify the techniques of teaching
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productive skills as practiced in the modern world as well as in our country. This study
sought to answer few questions related to the implementation of those techniques in our
country.
Hopefully, answering those questions will help us to find a way to utilize modern
and contemporary techniques in our country in an effective manner. Subsequently, the
purpose of this study is to identify and suggest probable solution to effective teaching of
productive skills.
In communicative approach there are four basic
skills of learning foreign
language like English i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing. When it comes to
talking aboutusing English at any level of education whether it is primary,
secondary,
intermediate or at the tertiary level, it requires teaching the four skills of the language
giving equal importance on each of these skills. Each of these is important. In
communication and especially in communicative English each skill demands equal
importance. Ever growing needs for using English around the world is the consequence
of the role of En
glish as the world‟s international language have given priority to finding
more effective ways to teach these crucial language skills.
In Bangladesh Secondary education is one of the most important sectors in
education. English is taught at this level but appropriate
emphasis is not given on
learner‟s speaking and writing skills. Though speaking and writing are the two common
means of communication, education planners of primary, secondary and higher
secondary levels give less emphasis on these skills. As a result,
students could not
apply English in their practical life successfully. This present study explores approaches
to the teaching of speaking and writing skills in Secondary education system.
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