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Tips for Bengali Speakers

বাংলা

Bengali and English differ in word order, articles and pronouns. Some sounds are also hard for Bengali speakers. Focus on these areas for exam success.

Common Challenges

Articles

Bengali has no articles like a/an/the. It uses endings like -টা instead.

Example: "I saw a movie" not "I saw movie".

Word Order

Bengali is Subject-Object-Verb. English is Subject-Verb-Object.

Example: "I eat rice" not "I rice eat".

Prepositions

Bengali uses endings and postpositions. English uses prepositions before the noun.

Example: "In the room" not "the room in".

The Verb "be"

Bengali present-tense sentences often have no verb. English needs "be".

Example: "She is tall" not "She tall".

He and She

The Bengali pronoun সে is used for both men and women.

Example: "My brother is a doctor. He works in Dhaka." Use he for men and she for women.

V, B, Z and J

Bengali has no "v" or "z" sound.

Example: Practice: very/berry, vote/boat, and "z" in zoo, zero, lazy.

Grammar Focus Areas

Articles

Use "a/an" for a singular countable noun the first time, then "the".

Word Order

Follow Subject-Verb-Object order strictly.

For and Since

Use the present perfect: "I have lived here since 2010" not "I am living here since 2010".

State Verbs

Do not use -ing with state verbs: "I know" not "I am knowing".

Questions

Use auxiliaries before the subject: "Where do you live?" not "Where you live?"

Prepositions

Learn common combinations: "interested in", "afraid of", "on Monday".

Vocabulary Advice

  • Many English words are used in Bengali. Check the English meaning and spelling
  • Learn collocations and phrasal verbs
  • Practice words with v, z, f and th sounds
  • Learn word families: produce, product, production, productive
  • Learn uncountable nouns: information, advice, luggage
  • Build vocabulary through reading English newspapers and articles

Exam Strategies

  • Include a form of "be" in present tense sentences
  • Check word order, especially in questions
  • Use articles correctly in every paragraph
  • Check he and she in writing and speaking
  • In speaking, practice v/b and z/j
  • Practice speaking for fluency with a timer

সাহস রাখুন! Your dedication will bring success.

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English Exam Tips for Bengali Speakers

Bengali and English differ in word order, articles and pronouns. Some sounds are also hard for Bengali speakers. Focus on these areas for exam success.

Common Challenges for Bengali Speakers

  • Articles: Bengali has no articles like a/an/the. It uses endings like -টা instead. Example: "I saw a movie" not "I saw movie".
  • Word Order: Bengali is Subject-Object-Verb. English is Subject-Verb-Object. Example: "I eat rice" not "I rice eat".
  • Prepositions: Bengali uses endings and postpositions. English uses prepositions before the noun. Example: "In the room" not "the room in".
  • The Verb "be": Bengali present-tense sentences often have no verb. English needs "be". Example: "She is tall" not "She tall".
  • He and She: The Bengali pronoun সে is used for both men and women. Example: "My brother is a doctor. He works in Dhaka." Use he for men and she for women.
  • V, B, Z and J: Bengali has no "v" or "z" sound. Example: Practice: very/berry, vote/boat, and "z" in zoo, zero, lazy.

Grammar Tips for Bengali Speakers

  • Articles: Use "a/an" for a singular countable noun the first time, then "the".
  • Word Order: Follow Subject-Verb-Object order strictly.
  • For and Since: Use the present perfect: "I have lived here since 2010" not "I am living here since 2010".
  • State Verbs: Do not use -ing with state verbs: "I know" not "I am knowing".
  • Questions: Use auxiliaries before the subject: "Where do you live?" not "Where you live?"
  • Prepositions: Learn common combinations: "interested in", "afraid of", "on Monday".

Vocabulary Advice

  • Many English words are used in Bengali. Check the English meaning and spelling
  • Learn collocations and phrasal verbs
  • Practice words with v, z, f and th sounds
  • Learn word families: produce, product, production, productive
  • Learn uncountable nouns: information, advice, luggage
  • Build vocabulary through reading English newspapers and articles

Exam Strategies

  • Include a form of "be" in present tense sentences
  • Check word order, especially in questions
  • Use articles correctly in every paragraph
  • Check he and she in writing and speaking
  • In speaking, practice v/b and z/j
  • Practice speaking for fluency with a timer

সাহস রাখুন! Your dedication will bring success.