A letter to the teachers of English: 107Conversation skillsIbrahim meets the Indian teacher [Archives:2006/932/Education]

PROF. M.N.K.BOSE
[email protected]
Professor of English,
Faculty of Arts, Ibb
Ibrahim: Good morning, teacher.

Teacehr: Good morning. What is your name?

Ibrahim: Ibrahim. I'm in level three.

Teacher: Where are you from?

Ibrahim: I'm from Jiblah, about 10 kms from here.

Teacher: I've heard about Jiblah. It's an old town, isn't it?

Ibrahim: Yes, teacher. It's a very old town on solid rock; Jiblah means rock in Arabic.

Teacher: I see. Tell me something about it.

Ibrahim: It was the capital of Queen Arwa, you must have heard of Queen Bilqis.

Teacher: Were there queens in Yemen? I thought only kings were here.

Ibrahim: No, teacher. There were a few queens in Yemen, as efficient as the kings.

Haven't you heard of Queen of Sheba? She was a famous one in Yemen.

Teacher: The one who was praised by King Salamon. Is there a museum in Jiblah?

Ibrahim: What?

Teacher: Museum, where ancient things are kept for the visitors to see.

Ibrahim: Oh, Yes. There is a museum, a small one. There are a few old things kept there; the building itself is old. You can visit it one day, teacher.

Teacher: I will, Ibrahim. What else is there for me to visit?

Ibrahim: There is an old mosque built in 1088 A.D. probably in the queen's time.

Teacher: Oh. Really? So old? Must be built with mud, mustn't it?

Ibrahim: I think so, teacher. It is a small one with four gates and two minarets.

Teacher: Can I visit the mosque too?

Ibrahim: Of course, yes. When you visit Jiblah.

Teacher: Thanks, Ibrahim. It is really a good piece of information.

Ibrahim: Not al all, teacher. You are welcome to Jiblah any time.

Activity: Ask two of your students to role-play this conversation. Ask them to write a similar conversation describing their own town to a foreigner.

Truth is what doesn't harm others.

Yours fraternally,

Dr. .M.N.K.Bose
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