I’ve been sharing some academic notes and worksheets over the past few days. I’ve received quite a few questions and requests. Such as……
# Where will I find the answers?
You’ll have to find them yourself. I won’t have time to prepare answer sheets, so I apologize in advance. (I believe in the ‘earn your keep’ principle!)
# What’s the point of all this if you don’t give answers?
I’m not sharing these for your benefit—I’m sharing them for those who are willing to work hard.
# What’s the problem with providing answers?
I used to solve these worksheets in my coaching classes. I’d give homework, students would come back with their attempts. Then I’d go through each one in class, explaining the grammatical rules step by step. Along with that, I’d work through several similar examples. I taught grammar through examples. I didn’t need solution sheets for myself, and my students didn’t need them either, because I would explain and work through everything in class.
# If you’re not giving answers, there’s no point sharing these things.
Did I come to your house and invite you to read my useless stuff? Or did I say you’d be reported to the police if you didn’t read my posts?
# Did you really teach these things to matriculation and intermediate students?
Not quite right. What I taught—at most 10% of it can be shared here. I used to make them solve at least three test papers, which couldn’t be shared in worksheet format. I’d make them work through 4-5 books. I’d assign exercises from countless foreign grammar books.
# It would be easier to teach students if you provided the answers.
If you can’t do something yourself, it’s better not to teach it to students at all!
# Did students actually study these difficult things?
No, they didn’t. I’d motivate them, scold them, or even beat them into studying. I didn’t teach expecting students to study on their own initiative. I believe in making students work through sheer force.
# What did you keep in mind while preparing worksheets?
I taught with the challenge in mind that no one else in Chittagong would give students more practice than me. And I’d teach things that would be useful for medical, engineering, or university admission tests, even if they weren’t in the syllabus. The hard part about teaching those was convincing the students they could do it too. That’s the age when they believe their teachers. It worked—I could get them to work hard. I didn’t just teach for marks, but to actually teach them something.
# I need notes on this paragraph/essay or that topic. Could you please share them?
What are you saying, brother! What trouble? What else do you need, please tell me! If any of your friends have requests, you can mention those too.
# Could you print everything together and send me a hard copy? I’ll pay for printing and courier charges if needed.
Oh brother! What are you saying! You’re just embarrassing me! Why would I send it? Give me your home address, I’ll come deliver it myself! You won’t need to pay for transport, just give me one meal.
# I live near you. When are you free? If you could tell me, I’d come to your place and get some problems solved.
Better give me your address instead—when I have time, I’ll run away from your area.
# Please compile all your sheets into a PDF and send it to my email. My email address is: ……..
(Message seen and deleted)
# Don’t you have any work?
I do—I just finished the job of blocking you!
# Where do you get so much patience?
From thin air.
# Do you actually have a job? How is it possible to do so much work while employed?
Yes brother, I do. I have to—I’m a poor man’s son! It’s possible in two ways: if you have sincerity, and if you’re willing to work at least twice as hard as others, or if you know the techniques.
# Why did you give students such difficult notes? To teach them? Or to show off?
Both!
# Are you sharing these because you want to open a coaching center again?
No brother! Most of those who teach in coaching centers are my students or like students to me. I haven’t fallen to such a sorry state that I’d compete with my students. Thank God.
# Many example structures aren’t in the books. Where will I find those?
Everything is in books. But maybe not in the popular market books. You can also find many answers by searching online.
# I need such-and-such things. Give them!
I’ll only give two things: what I have in my collection, and what I feel like sharing. Don’t be ashamed to ask for extras.
Happy reading!!