DL English preparation method

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 (11^th 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