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Use It Better: The Smart Ways to Pick Passwords
Four strategies for keeping your information safe
By David Pogue, September 7, 2011
If you want to be absolutely secure, you should make up a different password for every single Web site you visit. Each password should have at least 16 characters, and it should contain a scramble of letters, numbers, and punctuation; it should contain no recognizable words. You should change all of these passwords every couple of weeks. And you should not write any of them down anywhere.
That, at least, is what security experts advise. Unfortunately, they leave out the part about the 15 minutes you’d have to spend with flash cards before bed each night, trying to remember all those utterly impractical passwords.
There are, fortunately, more sensible ways to incorporate passwords into your life. You won’t be as secure as the security experts would like, but you’ll find a much better balance between protection and convenience.
♦ The “security through brevity” technique. My teenage son’s smartphone password is only a single character. It’s fast and easy to type. But a random evildoer picking up his phone doesn’t know that; he just sees “Enter password” and gives up − so, in its way, it’s just as secure as a long password. (Of course, I may have just blown it by publishing his little secret.)
♦ Password keepers. The world is full of utility programs for your Mac, PC or app phone that memorize all your Web passwords for you. They’re called things like RoboForm, Account Logon, and (for the Mac) 1Password. Each asks you for a master password that unlocks all the others; after that, you get to surf the Web freely, admiring how the software not only remembers your passwords and contact information, but fills in the Web forms for you automatically.
♦ The “disguised English word” technique. Having your passwords guessed by ne’er-do-wells online doesn’t happen often, but you do hear about such cases. The bad guys start by using “dictionary attacks” − software that tries every word in the dictionary, just in case you were dumb enough to make your password something like “password” or your first name. (These special dictionaries also contain common names, places, number combinations and phrases such as “ilovemycat.”)
That’s why conventional wisdom suggests disguising your password by changing a letter or two into numbers or symbols. Instead of “supergirl,” choose “supergir!” or “supergir1,” for example. That way, you’ve thwarted the dictionary attacks without decreasing the memorizability.
♦ The multi-word approach. Another good password technique is to run words together, like “picklenose” or “toothygrin.” Pretty easy to remember, but tough for a dictionary attack to guess.
(Adapted from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=pogue-use-it-better-smart-ways-pick-passwords)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
What Is the Definition of Online Banking?
The brick-and-mortar bank is the bank customers may use for banking. It is the bank where customers go to deposit checks, withdraw money, transfer money, and it's also the bank used to pay bills by mail. Brick-and-mortar banks ..A.. . Today's world of banking is more efficient. With online banking, customers rarely need to walk into a bank. Most of their banking is available through their computer.
Online banking is also called brick-to-click banking, according to bankrate.com, as well as electronic banking or Internet banking. It is a bank that gives customers the option of using checks, depositing money and transferring money at their physical location, or the option to do most of their banking on their computer. They can log on to their site and transfer between accounts, pay bills, use automatic deposits and check balances in all their accounts. If they need cash, they can make withdrawals using their ATM card or debit card. The only time they may need to enter an actual bank is to deposit a paper check or see a loan officer.
History
According to "Banking and Finance on the Internet," a book edited by Mary J. Cronin, online banking was first introduced in the early 1980s when four New York banks − Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Chemical and Manufacturers Hanover − offered home banking services. The systems were quite ..B.. to use and did not prove to be very popular. In the U.K., it was Nottingham Building Society that in 1983 offered the first electronic home banking system.
How it Works
In order to use e-banking, customers need access to a personal computer and Internet connection. When they register for ebanking, they are asked to provide a login name and password. Additionally, each time they want to access their account they might be required to answer a security question, which minimizes the risk of someone else accessing their account.
Features
Online banking allows customers to access their bank account from their computer 24 hours a day. With a password and a secure system, they can view all their accounts, move their money around, open new accounts, pay loans, access past months, print off transactions and electronically pay bills. With an ATM card, they have 24-hour access to ATMs across the country. With a debit card, they can pay bills at any store instead of writing a check. The bank automatically deducts from their checking account.
Virtual Banking
Besides the brick-to-click banks, there are virtual banks that do not have a physical location or personnel. They offer the same services as a regular bank and must follow the same federal guidelines. ....CONJUNCTION ... they do not have the overhead of buildings and personnel, they can offer better deals on loans and higher returns on savings.
Advantages of E-Banking
For customers, convenience is probably the main advantage, because it allows them to access their accounts whenever they want, and perform transactions from the comfort of their home. Almost equally important is ubiquity, because e-banking is available from any internet-connected computer anywhere in the world. For banks, e-banking means lower operating costs, as they need fewer branches and staff. Last but not least, it means new revenue opportunities, because e-banking attracts new, usually higher-income clients.
Disadvantages of E-Banking
For customers, it takes time to learn how to use e-banking facilities and, more importantly, to trust their bank's website and stop worrying about security issues. For banks, it means investing more in equipment and highly trained staff to run the website and necessary software.
(Adapted from http://www.ehow.com)
Read the following text and answer question based on the text
A Potential Solution: Farm Vertically
Read the following text and answer question based on the text
A Potential Solution: Farm Vertically
Read the following text and answer question based on the text
A Potential Solution: Farm Vertically
Read the following text and answer question based on the text
A Potential Solution: Farm Vertically
Sustainable development will only succeed if politicians prioritise people’s needs over economic progress, says new report
People and their wellbeing need to be at the centre of development, with less emphasis on economic growth, according to a new report, but this requires philanthropic and development organisations to challenge current thinking. “Development is political,” said the final report of the Bellagio Initiative, a six-month exploration into the future of philanthropy and international development. “Not everyone can be a winner at the same time, but if no one among the winners is prepared to give up just a little in order to reach politically sustainable solutions, then we will all lose out. The real wellbeing challenge is not just to find ways to live well, but for us to find ways to live well together.” Care work was cited as an example of an area that would receive greater attention under the new approach. Care for children and the elderly — work often done by women — is systematically undervalued and overlooked in the development agenda, said the report.
Based on the text above, judge the following item.
Politicians are becoming aware of the need to focus on people’s wellbeing to promote development.
Complete the sentences below, then choose an alternative:
“________ the years and ________ the world, the scientists
have been doing ___________ researches about many
diseases, __________ in many cases they haven´t had enough
money to do it”.
By Bishnu Mani Thapaliya
Jana Adarsha Multiple Campus, Birendranagar, Chitwan
With the long and varied experience of teaching English to young students in rural areas of Nepal, the columnist would like to share some of the difficulties and their probable remedies in teaching and learning English as second language. The main aim of the essay is to dispel the illusion of English language learning. This essay clearly announces the fact that English can be learnt comfortably even by the people who were born and bred up in adverse conditions.
Most of the students accomplish their schooling in their mother tongue i.e. Nepali. Though they have attained heaps of marks in core subjects, they remain very poor at English still. The students have an unknown fear and fever over English all these years. Now, let us examine some of the various factors which leave English as a souring grape for rural students even today.
To begin with, the first and the foremost factor is the socio-cultural and financial background of the family. As most of the parents are illiterate, they cannot directly take part in the daily routine of their children though they aspire for their children’s bright future. Hence, the students’ performance lacks parental supervision and guidance which is very necessary at this juncture of their education. The illiterate parents cannot realize what their children pursuing neither they do afford time to consult the teacher about the progression in studies of their children. Every minute during the day time is valuable for them as they have to struggle in earning their livelihood. The boy or girl is also sent for work on wages at the specified time of the year which affects their education very dearly.
An interesting observation identifies that the performance in English of the students whose parents are employees and belong to higher middle class is better than that of the students whose parents are illiterate and belong to lower middle class. The probable reason perhaps is that the parents in the first case can spare time to consult the teacher about the ongoing of their children once a while and can guide them if necessary. Thus there has emerged an undesirable difference between the two classes.
Consequently, it is established in rural areas as a proven fact to say that English is tough to study and understand despite the fact that English is the easiest language in the world to learn.
But it was also proved every now and then that the students from the second group also showed greater interest and expertise in English. The credit goes to the student and their teacher who was successful in inculcating curiosity among the students in spite of their financial irregularities and improper brought up. So, mere poverty cannot create a gulf between students and their English language efficiency.
The second major problem is the inefficiency of the teachers. These students generally pursue their studies in Government public schools in which the medium of instruction is Nepali, their mother tongue. The methodology of ELT in these schools is bilingual or translation method. The teachers simply translate everything into their mother tongue and explain them on the name of bilingual or translation method. Though this method offers them sound knowledge in the content, it prevents them in acquiring communication abilities in English. The teacher here plays more as a translator than a genuine English teacher. Hence, virtually, there is no much difference between a Nepali teacher and an English teacher. The English teachers at these schools are untrained and moreover they are unaware of the current trends and techniques of ELT. Most of them are ignorant of useful organizations and websites on the Internet which offer them really good down-to-earth discussions of ideas and techniques.
The reason for these unskilled English teachers may be as a result of the Government’s poor planning on ELT and empowering the teachers.
The case with many of the private English medium schools in rural areas is no better than this. The situation is even worse with them. The teachers who teach English are those who pursued their schooling in Nepali medium and failed in Intermediate and so. The columnist doesn’t consider this is the case with every organization, but with most of them. Definitely, these poor teachers make English as a nightmare to students and they instigate students to habituate by-heart method which deprives students the communication abilities in English. Thus English appeared or is rather made as a dreadful demon for long years in Nepal.
Another probable reason is the model of the English examination papers. It has not been designed in a manner that it helps students to have an authority over English language; rather it makes the students take it for granted. The examinations are content based on memorization where the students are supposed to reproduce what they have recited. Thus students are forced to adopt by-heart method. Their memory works help them more than their creativity and intelligence.
The other factor which affects English language learning is the educational system itself. There are primarily four skills involved in English language learning i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (LSRW). The students of Nepal have been tutored and trained well enough in reading and writing for long ages. But Listening and Speaking skills which play a greater role in communication have been neglected and ignored. Thus our educational system lacks an important dimension. It enables the students to concentrate on reading and writing only. The final examination does also test them mainly on how good their memory is. The examinations are not language-oriented. Even parents are craving for hollow marks than real knowledge.
Consequently, examination-oriented teaching has been adopted in schools. Students are guided and specially trained to concentrate only on the areas where they can score better. Hence, they neglect the other two basic skills.
Listening is the one basic skill which makes speaking possible. Nobody can speak a language without listening to it. Even an infant starts speaking in a particular language after listening to it for many months. It is why an infant who is deaf by birth remains dumb too. Since s/he is not able to listen to, s/he cannot speak in it.
Thus, our young students are deprived of speaking abilities because they have not been properly guided in listening skills. This may be the proper reason why they have not been able to speak English in a proper manner. They have become adept only at writing and reading of English. There should be a comprehensive course for listening and speaking skills. The classrooms should be equipped with audiovideo materials. Student Talking Time (STT) should be maximiz
This is high time that the concerned authorities and teachers adopted an innovative culture of teaching English. Let us hope that our kids’ English will be cashed in the days to come.
(http://neltachoutari.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/factors-and-problems-of-teachingenglish-as-a-second-language-in-rural-areas-in-nepal/)
In the utterance “The English teachers at these schools are untrained and moreover they are unaware of the current trends and techniques of ELT” (8th paragraph), the underlined word
By Bishnu Mani Thapaliya
Jana Adarsha Multiple Campus, Birendranagar, Chitwan
With the long and varied experience of teaching English to young students in rural areas of Nepal, the columnist would like to share some of the difficulties and their probable remedies in teaching and learning English as second language. The main aim of the essay is to dispel the illusion of English language learning. This essay clearly announces the fact that English can be learnt comfortably even by the people who were born and bred up in adverse conditions.
Most of the students accomplish their schooling in their mother tongue i.e. Nepali. Though they have attained heaps of marks in core subjects, they remain very poor at English still. The students have an unknown fear and fever over English all these years. Now, let us examine some of the various factors which leave English as a souring grape for rural students even today.
To begin with, the first and the foremost factor is the socio-cultural and financial background of the family. As most of the parents are illiterate, they cannot directly take part in the daily routine of their children though they aspire for their children’s bright future. Hence, the students’ performance lacks parental supervision and guidance which is very necessary at this juncture of their education. The illiterate parents cannot realize what their children pursuing neither they do afford time to consult the teacher about the progression in studies of their children. Every minute during the day time is valuable for them as they have to struggle in earning their livelihood. The boy or girl is also sent for work on wages at the specified time of the year which affects their education very dearly.
An interesting observation identifies that the performance in English of the students whose parents are employees and belong to higher middle class is better than that of the students whose parents are illiterate and belong to lower middle class. The probable reason perhaps is that the parents in the first case can spare time to consult the teacher about the ongoing of their children once a while and can guide them if necessary. Thus there has emerged an undesirable difference between the two classes.
Consequently, it is established in rural areas as a proven fact to say that English is tough to study and understand despite the fact that English is the easiest language in the world to learn.
But it was also proved every now and then that the students from the second group also showed greater interest and expertise in English. The credit goes to the student and their teacher who was successful in inculcating curiosity among the students in spite of their financial irregularities and improper brought up. So, mere poverty cannot create a gulf between students and their English language efficiency.
The second major problem is the inefficiency of the teachers. These students generally pursue their studies in Government public schools in which the medium of instruction is Nepali, their mother tongue. The methodology of ELT in these schools is bilingual or translation method. The teachers simply translate everything into their mother tongue and explain them on the name of bilingual or translation method. Though this method offers them sound knowledge in the content, it prevents them in acquiring communication abilities in English. The teacher here plays more as a translator than a genuine English teacher. Hence, virtually, there is no much difference between a Nepali teacher and an English teacher. The English teachers at these schools are untrained and moreover they are unaware of the current trends and techniques of ELT. Most of them are ignorant of useful organizations and websites on the Internet which offer them really good down-to-earth discussions of ideas and techniques.
The reason for these unskilled English teachers may be as a result of the Government’s poor planning on ELT and empowering the teachers.
The case with many of the private English medium schools in rural areas is no better than this. The situation is even worse with them. The teachers who teach English are those who pursued their schooling in Nepali medium and failed in Intermediate and so. The columnist doesn’t consider this is the case with every organization, but with most of them. Definitely, these poor teachers make English as a nightmare to students and they instigate students to habituate by-heart method which deprives students the communication abilities in English. Thus English appeared or is rather made as a dreadful demon for long years in Nepal.
Another probable reason is the model of the English examination papers. It has not been designed in a manner that it helps students to have an authority over English language; rather it makes the students take it for granted. The examinations are content based on memorization where the students are supposed to reproduce what they have recited. Thus students are forced to adopt by-heart method. Their memory works help them more than their creativity and intelligence.
The other factor which affects English language learning is the educational system itself. There are primarily four skills involved in English language learning i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (LSRW). The students of Nepal have been tutored and trained well enough in reading and writing for long ages. But Listening and Speaking skills which play a greater role in communication have been neglected and ignored. Thus our educational system lacks an important dimension. It enables the students to concentrate on reading and writing only. The final examination does also test them mainly on how good their memory is. The examinations are not language-oriented. Even parents are craving for hollow marks than real knowledge.
Consequently, examination-oriented teaching has been adopted in schools. Students are guided and specially trained to concentrate only on the areas where they can score better. Hence, they neglect the other two basic skills.
Listening is the one basic skill which makes speaking possible. Nobody can speak a language without listening to it. Even an infant starts speaking in a particular language after listening to it for many months. It is why an infant who is deaf by birth remains dumb too. Since s/he is not able to listen to, s/he cannot speak in it.
Thus, our young students are deprived of speaking abilities because they have not been properly guided in listening skills. This may be the proper reason why they have not been able to speak English in a proper manner. They have become adept only at writing and reading of English. There should be a comprehensive course for listening and speaking skills. The classrooms should be equipped with audiovideo materials. Student Talking Time (STT) should be maximiz
This is high time that the concerned authorities and teachers adopted an innovative culture of teaching English. Let us hope that our kids’ English will be cashed in the days to come.
(http://neltachoutari.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/factors-and-problems-of-teachingenglish-as-a-second-language-in-rural-areas-in-nepal/)
According to the author, one of the reasons for rural students in Nepal to fail in learning English is that
Read the following text and choose the best alternative:
“Although an executive may answer his own phone at times, he may still prefer for his secretary to answer it when he is not available. Secretaries may also have to answer departmental phone lines.”
(by Heather Eastridge from http:// www.ehow.com/facts_5256675_executive-secretary-duties-res)