So I’ve been thinking, where can I start if I want to teach my Bengali wife English so that we can communicate better? So far, I can speak Bengali comfortably at a basic-intermediary level so I can translate some of the English to Bengali. I also know most of the Bengali alphabet, although I’m not good at reading. I plan to extensively use Google Translate, it should be a great help.
Of course, I will look into improving my knowledge of Bengali language myself when I get the chance. I suppose teaching English requires knowing a bit of the other language too, so either way I’m going to learn more Bangla in the process.
But anyways, in order to do almost anything effectively I’ve got to brainstorm & plan out what requirements are for being able to speak English. For example, what does a person needs to be able to say in English in order to survive in an English speaking country? What phrases or words are commonly used in English? What do you need to be able to ask, or be able to answer? What do you need to say in specific situations, etc. Here’s the list that I have developed so far:
- Alphabets
- Letter & Word Pronunciation
- Introducing yourself
- Places & Locations
- Here, there, over there
- Different parts of a House
- Asking Questions
- Identifying basic objects (cat, mouse, house, horse, etc.)
- Theme: Kitchen
- Study Room / Class Room
- Bed Room
- Bath Room
- Describing objects
I started by asking my wife how much of English she already knows. Shes says she already was taught the Alphabets and Pronunciations in school. I think the next step for her is being able to introduce herself in English. Introductions could consist of:
- Name
- Age
- Education
- Hobbies
- Interests
- Family
- Where do you live
- What you like
- What you dislike
