Michael West

Michael West has greatly contributed to English language teaching in India in the beginning of 20th century. When he was appointed as a colonial educated in Bengal for 20 years,he made the huge survey on the problems of Indian learners. He developed many original insights inter problems of teaching English in different circumstances. Through the survey he came across with the true problems of English language learner. Hence, he decided to form some remedies in order to solve the problems and improve the standard of English language learner in India. He focused on very basic problem of learners that is lack of proper reading. He says that
    "Indian boys need most all to be able to read English rather than to write it and lastly to speak it and understand it when spoken. "     -Michael West
Hence, he introduced a reading scheme known as 'New Method' readers West's new method basically refers to the guidelines about reading through the set of accurate vocabulary. This method consists of a selected vocabulary of English in comprehence not only the selected vocabulary but a special arrangement of vocabulary .New method readers are not in themselves and an entire course in all branches of English language, literature, grammar and composition. On the contrary they are a series for foreign language learners to read English and through the understanding of English.
His new method is based on following three elements 1. Reading, 2. Readers with selected vocabulary, 3. Judicious use of mother tongue.
Thus, Michael West contribution has regarded as an influential one. Therefore, Richard Smith called Michael West a "Pioneer of ELT."

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