One of the many preparation methods for Junior Lecturers/ Degree
Lecturers-in – English Recruitment in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh
Hi all, I am D. Ramakrishna. I was selected in Junior
Lecturers (English) Recruitment, 2004 and Degree Lecturers (English)
Recruitment, 2012. I cleared UGC-NET (English) in 2010. I am, at present,
working as Asst. Prof. of English in one of the Govt. Degree colleges in
Telangana.
Coming to the syllabus of Degree Lecturers-in-English, it is
divided into three parts: 1. Movements and Concepts 2. Core part (Novels,
poetry and Dramas) 3. ELT & Phonetics.
First of all,you need the comprehensive and exhaustive
understanding in all three areas. Mere preparation of objective type bits and
short description may not help you to achieve success. Though the books I
suggest may be many, they are, in my view, so important.
To form solid ground, you have to read some standard books,
though they are not part of our syllabus. First, you must read William J Long’s English Literature (It costs nearly
Rs.150-200 and available in cities and in online stores like Amazon). The main
difference between this history of English Literature and other books is its liveliness and
its readability. I personally liked this book so much.
In the first reading of this book, read it like a novel
(don’t make any notes, don’t underline anything.) Read it for enjoyment and be
carried away into those periods of literature. Despite its simple language,
some candidates may not understand some paragraphs or lines. I suggest you that
you should not refer dictionary for meanings of words because it hampers the speed
of your reading. Whether you understand completely or not, go on reading. After
you finish the book, you will get some idea about history of English
Literature.
Then, read W.H.Hudson’s Outline
History of English Literature. It is relatively small book. It can sort out all the
things you read in Long’s book. Read this book also like a
novel.
Then,
read R.D. Trivedi’s A Compendious History
of English Literature. While reading this book, keep a pen and a notebook
beside you. Whenever you come across a important point, write it as a bit in
your notebook. As you have read Long and Hudson, you can easily understand this
book. It seems to many that it is impossible to complete all these books in 4
or 5 months. But, trust me, if you are able to prepare 8-10 hours a day, it is
possible. Due to lack of firm ground in literature, you may have to lose many
marks. So, read those books.
Then,
you have to read M.H.Abrams’ A Glossary
of Literary Terms (11th Edition). You can’t read this book like
a novel due to the nature of the book and its compactness. Begin with known
terms to you (ex. Drama, lyric, stanza etc). Go on reading less known terms.
Make it a habit to read one term a day. Read at least
250-300 terms from this book (From known to unknown). I vaguely believe that at
least 20-30 bits in exam paper will be given from this book. Read the terms
very carefully. Prepare bits for each term. Don’t depend on the bit banks of various publications.
Without making your own notes, it may not be possible to achieve success in this exam.
Now, you are equipped with solid ground in English
literature.
1.Movements and Concepts:
For Movements and Concepts, some terms like Renaissance,
Romanticism etc are covered in Long’s English
Literature. For other terms like postcolonialism, modernism, I suggest you
that you must read Peter Barry’s Beginning
Theory. It is a reader-friendly book. Read the concepts you require
thoroughly. Prepare bits as usual.
2. Core part (Novel, Poetry,
Drama etc)
Regarding poetry, read the prescribed poems
thoroughly. Read their interpretations. Try to write down important lines and phrases
in your note book. Individual guides are available for many poets (Ex. Guide on
John Keats’ poetry). Purchase them and read original poem with its
interpretation.
Regarding dramas, purchase guides on individual
drama. (You can get a separate guides for Hamlet, Tempest etc. Preferably, if
you have excellent knowledge in literature and language, go for guides of
Verity, otherwise guides of Raghukul Tilak.) First read paraphrase (i.e. the
meaning of the story in modern English). Then, read the original lines. You
have to prepare notes on the following aspects. (Let me repeat again, the preparation
of your own exhaustive notes is
crucial.):
1. Biographical details.
(Author’s birth, death, native place, period he belongs etc)
2. List of his/ her other
dramas
3. List of important characters
and lines from other works of the writer. (While reading individual guide,
whatever character names or lines you come across, write down them in bits.)
4. Criticism (What others said
about him and his works) (This also you will get in individual works.)
5. Important Lines from the
prescribed drama. (While writing notes on lines, write down who said these
lines to whom, which act which scene etc.)
6. Important places that are
mentioned in the drama and why they are mentioned. (Ex. Though the drama Hamlet
takes place in Denmark, the name of the France is mentioned. Laertes (brother
of Ophelia) goes to France for studies.)
7. Characters List. (While
reading the drama, if you come across any noteworthy information about any
character, write it under the character name in your list. In this way, enrich
your Characters List.)
8. Previous Questions about
this drama. (Collect previous JL & DL question papers. Write down them in
one place. Guess yourself that your preparation for this drama is enough.)
Regarding novels, try to read original novels at
least once very fast. Don’t prepare any bits from original novel. Read fast and
for enjoyment. Then, purchase individual guides, if you get (I came to know
that guides are not available for some novels.) Prepare notes in the above
fashion. Don’t forget to write down, biographical details, other novel of the
writers, important lines and places, characters list, questions from previous
papers. In references section of the individual guides, some prominent books
list will be given. (Ex. E.M. Forster Aspects
of Novel). Note down in your note book. Some questions will be asked about
most important background works on
drama, novel, poetry. Do same in drama and poetry as well.
3. English Language Teaching
in India and Phonetics:
For this section, try to read PGCTE
material (EFLU, Hyderabad conducts this
course in distance mode). You may get this material from EFLU or from any friend who has done this course. It is excellent for the concepts such as ELT
in India, Methods and Materials, Phonetics etc. These materials are more
elaborative than the scope of this exam but it makes you get full-pledged knowledge in this aspect. In any
way, try to get this material.
For Phonetics, you may also read
Balasubramanian’s Introduction of English
Phonetics to Indian Students. It gives you excellent knowledge in
Phonetics. You can finish it in 3-4 days. But, PGCTE material is the best for
this section as well.
Above all, believe in God, if you are
theist. I personally believe that God takes us to our deserved positions but we
must work hard. My best wishes to all. Feel
free to contact me through this blog.
This much is for now,
Regards,
D. Ramakrishna
