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General Guidelines on Nepali
Language Learning by Distance
Introduction:
Alternative to traditional instructor-led
classroom teaching, correspondence instruction via
the internet and email allows students to learn the
language at their own pace from nearly anywhere and
at any time, while reducing the time and cost
associated with traditional classroom training.
Recognising that all students learn differently, our
e-based Nepali language-training course has been
developed to dynamically adapt to the student’s
individual learning styles and preferences. The
course is taught using texts, audio-based
interactive dialogues, pictures and of course
various drilling methods and exercises, all adapted
to meet the student’s learning goals.
How does it work?
Learning Activities:
In order to take maximum benefit from the course,
the student’s daily learning activities will include
the following:
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Learn at least
10 new vocabulary from the textbook and audio
program.
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Interactive
dialogues and conversation practice to master
thinking and speaking in the new language.
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Listening and
speaking activities to help the learner improve
pronunciation and listening skills.
-
Comprehensive
grammar reference.
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Practice new
grammar structure through the varieties of drill
methods with the audio program.
Introduction of
the new lesson: The lessons are presented in
interactive dialogues and conversation between two
persons. The student should listen to the dialogue;
its rhythm of the sentences and of the question and
response forms, concentrating first on the overall
intonation patterns before worrying about individual
sounds. The written form of the dialogue is provided
with English translation. After listening to the
dialogue, the student should repeat it after the
informant utterance by utterance in order to
practice to master thinking and speaking in new
language.
Introduction of the vocabulary: The new
vocabulary is presented with the English translation
in the beginning of each lesson. The student should
study (memorize) them and also listen to the audio
format to get accuracy in pronunciation. If the
student require additional vocabulary, he/she can
ask the teacher by sending an email or consult with
the reference book. A concise Nepali dictionary is
also provided on CD.
Understanding the grammar: The explanation of
each new grammar structure is provided in the
lesson. If the explanation is not clear enough, the
student can ask the teacher for more clarification
by sending an email. The grammatical explanation can
also be obtained from the reference book
(Introductory Nepali Course book with audio CDs will
be provided to student).
Drilling of the new structure: The priority
of drills and dictation in the course is important.
Drilling is done in order to get accuracy in
grammatical structure, pronunciation and build-up
fluency. There are various types of drilling
methods, which will be provided and guided in every
lesson. While using the drills, the student must pay
careful attention to the informant’s pronunciation,
intonation and the stress and also the appropriate
use of grammar.
Practice: Because the face-to-face
conversation with the bilingual person will be
somewhat very limited or not possible, However, care
should be taken that at least thirty minutes should
be spent just speaking with the help of the audio
program.
Evaluation and exercise: At the end of the
lesson, the teacher provides a written exercise. The
student should complete the exercise in written form
then scan it and send it back to the teacher for
correction. The on-going assessment of the course by
both student and the teacher will be carried out
throughout the course.
Reading and Writing: Reading and writing (Devanagari
Script) is taught from the beginning of the course.
A Nepali font and the typing keys will be sent to
the student, so that he/she can read and type the
texts in Nepali script on the computer.
All the teaching/learning activities will be done
through electronic media (e-mail). However, the
on-line conversation can also be arranged once a
week through SKYPE. The student should have a web
cam for that. A scanner is also must.
Duration of the course:
Around 6 months, but it will depend on learner’s
commitment and time available for the study.
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