E & C Counselling in IB Diploma, Chiropracty, Free Coaching for IAS and other competitive exams, Foreign Languages

E & C Counselling in IB Diploma, Chiropracty, Free Coaching for IAS and other competitive exams, Foreign Languages


The IB diploma  

What is the IB programme in India all about? Does it have any value in India? 
   Subodh Motwani

The IB diploma — a demanding pre-university course of study in the last two years of high school — qualifies students for 'credits' and advanced standing at several colleges and universities around the world. Not based on the requirements of any specific high school or country, the curriculum is an advanced international programme for 'students of the world' who want a global perspective on people, cultures, history, and events while meeting the academic requirements of college-bound students. However, some educationists also feel that the IB is more focused on humanities. While students excel in language and literature, they face problems in coping with maths and science. 

   In India, in the last couple of years, it has become 'fashionable' to attend an IB programme. Given its substantially higher fees and the relatively fewer number of schools that offered the programme, the IB programme has acquired an aspirational value and has become a 'status symbol.' For rich, upwardly mobile Indians it became the 'in-thing' to send their kids to IB schools. Hordes of parents across the country sought to admit their kids into the IB programme with scant thought to its relevance in the Indian context, or the ability of schools to effectively deliver and teach the IB programme. 

   Schools smelled the opportunity and sought to cash in on it. Suddenly schools were sprouting up in all parts of the country calling themselves 'world schools' and 'international schools.' Eager to satisfy the increasing demand, several elite schools also started offering the IB programme. So from a handful of schools 10 years ago that essentially catered to kids of diplomats and the expat community, you now have nearly a hundred of schools offering the IB programme in India. Offering the IB programme and delivering it well are two very different things, as several parents and students discovered, much to their detriment. The rigorous IB curriculum is quite demanding on both teachers and students. Moreover, the approach to learning and teaching is dramatically different from the CBSE and CISCE system that our students and teachers are accustomed to until class X. It's not an easy curriculum to teach and demands great passion and creativity from teachers. 

   They have to undergo special training to be IB-certified. Most schools simply send their existing senior teachers for training, who then in turn 'train' other teachers in their respective schools. As with any education programme, it takes several years for the system to mature and capabilities to improve across the board. And by no means is it an easy transition for students. Students, who till then, have been used to rote-learning and formulaic memorisation, have to adapt to independent thinking and reasoning, analysing and critiquing, and research-based writing. Students who have gone through the programme claim they have to put in significantly more effort to maintain decent grades. Also, so far the academic achievement at majority of IB schools is byand large mediocre. 

   The main reason for this is that most children at these IB schools left their previous school on account of poor academic performance. Add to this, the stress and pressure involved in needing to re-learn how to study, prepare and give exams. The good IB schools in India continue to be older established ones such as Kodaikanal lnternational School, American Embassy School, The International School, Bangalore, Canadian School of India, Bangalore, Mahindra United World College, Pune, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai, Mercedes Benz International School, Pune. The IB is recognised by the AIU (you'll have to get an equivalence certificate from them to get a percentage equivalent) and several universities. So it's accepted for admission to Delhi University, JNU, etc, but since the exams are held in May, students are usually late for admission to Indian colleges. To further aggravate matters, the manner in which most Indian universities calculate percentage equivalent to IB grades leaves most students worseoff given the prevailing cut-throat admission cut-offs. 

   The IB grade is converted to the mid-point of the indicated range. For example, where grade 6's corresponding range is 89 to 95, the marks equivalent shall be taken as the mid point, which is 92.5. Similarly, for a grade of 5 where the range is 83 to 88, the equivalent is 85.5. Further, the varied subject choice of the IB doesn't help either, as Indian universities are quite rigid in the subject combinations they accept. 

   Also, if you're looking to appear for competitive entrance exams for engineering or medicine, then the IB curriculum isn't of much help. You will still need to attend after school coaching classes for the exams that are based on the CBSE/CISCE syllabi. The IB's appeal and value essentially continues to be for students looking to go abroad for undergraduate studies. A good IB score may not only help in getting admission into good universities and colleges in the US & UK, it can also earn you credits that will exempt you from entry level courses — thereby saving you some time and money in completing your graduation.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT : What is Chiropracty, where is it taught? 

What is Chiropracty, where is it taught? 
   Manoj Dutta

Chiropractic therapy is part of the alternative system of treatment. This 5,000-year old noninvasive, non-surgical approach to managing ortho-neuro-skeletal disorders, problems of the spine and other chronic disorders by restoring normal body function is quite popular in advanced countries like the US (where it is taught in 30+ medical colleges), UK, Australia and Germany. Circumventing surgery (in most cases) cuts down recovery time and costs by half. Chiropractic therapy is remarkable successful in conditions such as slip disc, cervical/lumbar spondylitis, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash, sciatica, frozen shoulder, knee, ankle and hip joint problems etc, where normally surgery (entailing fair amount of hospitalisation) is recommended. 

   Ancient Chinese texts on Kung Fu and our Vedas and Puranas contain references to this form of treatment (merudand or marmabindu chikitsa). Incidentally, NK Sharma, Sr Consultant, VIMHANS was the first doctor in India to introduce this practice of chiropracty in the country.

FREE COACHING for IAS and other competitive exams for SC/ST students? 

Could you please suggest names of institutions that offer free coaching for IAS and other competitive exams for SC/ST students? 
   Mehar Singh 

The government of NNCT of Delhi's department for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC/minorities pre-examination coaching centre offers free pre-examination coaching to SC/ST/OBC/minorities communities who wish to appear in (1) Common written exam conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel selection of probationary officers/management trainees in 19
public sector banks and (2) SSC combined All India Open Exam for stenographer grade 'C' and grade 'D' (see advert in Employment News from July 23-29 and July 16-22 respectively). Coaching is offered for a maximum period of three months or till the preceding day of the exam. Your parents' total income from all sources should not exceed Rs 2 lakh per-annum and you should be residing in Delhi for the last five years. 

   Free application forms are available at the pre-examination coaching centre. Fill it in and submit it along with attested copies of testimonials, documents and two passport size photographs by August 8 for both exams. 

   Selection will be on the basis of a written test on August 9 and 17 respectively. Selected candidates will be provided free coaching to prepare for the forthcoming competitive exams. Similarly, Jamia Millia Islamia's residential coaching academy offers free coaching and hostel accommodation (without food) to minorities, SCs, STs and women for civil services (prelims & main 2012). Application deadline is August 25.

LANGUAGE NO BAR  : Learning Foreign Languages

I am doing my BArch. I would like to pursue higher studies in a country like France or Spain to get international exposure but I can't speak either French or Spanish. Is that a deterrent? What are the specific professional courses that are popular in these two countries? Could you tell me about the job prospects? 
  Deepti Vaida

Being able to speak the local language is not a mandatory requirement in most of the well-known professional programmes in France or Spain, as they are now taught in English. Most universities in Western Europe are located in towns, where the ambience is cosmopolitan and a large number of natives speak a fair amount of English, though relatively few in France. Still, it's always better to have some knowledge of the language of the region, not for the course, but to interact with the locals. In addition to business management, among the popular professional courses are fashion studies and engineering in France, and tourism, hotel management and information technology in Spain. While some students prefer to come back to India, some others do manage to find jobs there. France now even offers a six-month window for foreign students to hunt for jobs. If you manage to get one, you qualify for a two-year work permit, which is renewable. 

Sunil Sharma

Moderator:

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Dil Se Desi Website ( Click here to visit)

Diploma in Chinese Language

Diploma in Chinese Language

Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has launched a diploma programme in Chinese language and culture.

Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (Ignou) School of Foreign Languages (SOFL) has launched a Diploma in Chinese Language and Culture (DCLC). In the coming session, the programme will be conducted face-to-face for students who want to add to their skills and enhance professional prospects.

“We have introduced this programme for students who are interested in knowing more about China. The country is our biggest trade partner. To get rid of misconceptions and to be able to understand their language, culture and business, we are introducing this course and hope to impart a holistic understanding of China,” says G Chaudhari, director, SOFL, Ignou.

The one-year programme will be taught in an online virtual classroom as well, in a modular format. Also it will introduce students to China’s political system, economy, foreign policy, HR and general knowledge of the country. Talking about faculty members, Chaudhari says, “Four faculty members including one Chinese faculty member will be conducting the classes. As and when required, we will invite guest lecturers too.” Around 25 seats are available for the course, which will be taught in three languages: Mandarin Chinese, English and Hindi. After students complete their diploma, they will be provided with training, which could range from months to a year, based on their area of interest and the subject they want to specialise in. “Towards the end of the course, students will be sent to China for training based on their performance. We have signed an MoU with three universities in China and will be sending our students. If students want to visit China to get a feel of the place, Ignou will arrange for the trip, though a part of the cost has to be borne by the students as well,” says Chaudhari.

In terms of job opportunities, Chaudhari is of the opinion that students can get into a range of areas depending on their background. “Anyone who is fluent in the language, has the scope to be employed in the hospitality sector, tourism or in science, both, in India and in China,” assures Chaudhari.

Students applying for this programme should have a certificate of learning Chinese. Admission is based on a first-come first-serve basis with a maximum of 25 seats for the face-to-face mode.

AT A GLANCE

25 seats are available for the course, which will be taught in three languages: Mandarin Chinese, English and Hindi Towards the end of the course, students, based on their performance, will be sent to China for training

The Counsellor - 24

THE COUNSELLOR

Which way 

I am currently in class XII (PCM). My parents are suggesting I join a five-year integrated MBA programme. Please tell me if an integrated MBA has the same value as a regular MBA? Should I pursue BTech instead? 

   Avdesh Thakur

While integrated courses are fine, they are not of much value unless done from a top-notch institution. Hence it may be better to do your graduation first, particularly if you are a science student and anyway contemplating a BTech. Work for a while to gain some practical experience and then try for an MBA from a really good Bschool that offers excellent placement facilities. This is a better option than tying yourself down to a mediocre five-year course. A techno-management qualification is highly rated in the job market. 

Career in foreign languages 

I completed my BSc (Bio) in 2007. I want to do a full-time course in a foreign language and want to make my career in this. Which course should I opt for? 

   SDO Tel 

There are so many foreign languages. And the courses depend on which one you want to opt for. The kind of jobs available to you after learning a foreign language will largely depend on the specific language and how good your linguistic capabilities are. Your degree of fluency in the language and additional qualifications will determine the range of options open to you. Some jobs require a smattering acquaintance with the language while others demand a high level of proficiency. But remember that very few jobs except teaching offer you a full-time regular career unless you graft your language skills onto other professional qualifications in the fields of travel and tourism, exports, fashion industry, secretarial practice, public relations, mass communications, publishing, commerce and industry, to name a few. Otherwise, you will have to work on a freelance basis. Perhaps, this is the main reason why most professionals in this field have a second occupation to fall back on. Few organisations employ full-time interpreters or translators. 

   Nevertheless, some languages like French, Spanish, Chinese or Korean for instance, offer relatively good scope as these languages are in demand for commercial application as well. Language-centric job opportunities can be broadly divided into three categories: Interpreting, translating and teaching.

Bioinformatics career 

After completing MSc biochemistry, I am thinking of pursuing bioinformatics. Does it make sense? 

Netra Raman

 

Why not. The prospects in bioinformatics have been steadily increasing with the increasing use of IT in molecular biology. Career opportunities include sequence assembly sequence analysis, database design and maintenance, proteomics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacology that also includes clinical pharmacol, informatics development, computational chemistry, bioanalytics and analytics. 

   The work involved in the specific career areas are drug design utilising 3D structure modelling and computational chemistry also known as cheminformatics. 

   A postgraduate joining a private sector pharma company can expect a salary in the range of Rs 12,000 - 20,000 per-month. Those employed in government 

research labs start off at Rs 12,000 plus government allowances and benefits. There is also a great demand for bioinformaticians in foreign countries.

 

Lay off anxieties 

I have been working as a temporary staff for the last two years in an IT firm in NOIDA. People say that the economic slowdown in the US will jeopardise temporary jobs the most. If so, what should I do? 

   Suresh Mehta

 

Temporary staffers continue to find favour with India Inc, notwithstanding worries over any economic slowdown. And they are the most sought after in talent-hungry sectors such as communications, information technology and IT-enabled services. The TeamLease Annual Temp Salary Primer 2008 has found these three sectors ahead of others in hiring temporary staff in rewarding them. The survey covered temporary staff working across more than 200 profiles and 10 industry domains in 12 major locations in India. Interestingly, the communications industry, which was covered for the first time this year, moved in sync with the IT and ITeS sectors in terms of salaries and wage hikes for temporary staff. Metros like Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi emerged as the cities that offer best salaries and pay hikes. The survey revealed that qualification preceded experience this year. For example, for the post of a collection officer in Delhi, a postgraduate with no work experience can draw as much as a graduate with up to three years work-ex. This is 1% higher than that of graduate with up to five years work experience. However while this trend is most visible in the IT sector, experience still holds importance in the sales function.

 

Legal discipline 

Can you please tell me something about Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) practice? I am doing LLB from Agra. 

   Harinder Behal

 

There are just about 1,000 practicing patent professionals in the country. According to a NASSCOM report, 33% of the IP demand is from the Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) sector. According to a McKinsey report, the market demand for IP professionals is likely to touch 15,000 in the next three years. 

   The study and application of Intellectual Property Laws has gained further momentum due to the IT and entertainment revolution and globalisation of the business environment. The importance and goodwill of a brand in the modern scenario has driven the demand for registering trademarks and patents. Anyone pursuing law can opt for IPR as a specialisation during the final year of LLB. Practicing advocates and company secretaries can also practice as trademark agents. A practicing lawyer can also practice patenting. Nonlawyers need to acquire the IPR qualification to practice trademarks by giving a one-day exam and viva at the trademark office. Similarly, you need to take a oneday exam at the patent office to be eligible to practice patenting. 

   Patenting being a somewhat techno-legal area, you also need the basic skill of writing patents, which is honed only by experience. 

   You can either top up your Bachelor's in law with a degree in IP law, or if you have expertise in a given domain, that too can be topped up with a qualification in IP law.

 

 

 

 

Sunil Sharma

   Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

&   www.dilsedesi.org

The Counsellor - 16

Aiming high 

I have completed my Master's in French and would like to work with the United Nations as an interpreter. How do I go about it? 

   Deepak Sharma

 

Working in the United Nations Organisation (UNO) as an interpreter calls for proficiency in more than one foreign language. Fortunately, French happens to be one of the official languages of the UNO ( The others being English, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Arabic).

 

   However, you can apply for the post only upon successful completion of the Simultaneous Interpretation Course from either of the schools at Geneva or France.

 

   At the UNO, interpreters are recruited after qualifying in a test which is administered individually. They usually work for six months in a year and get paid around $600 per day plus overtime. Besides a university degree, you must possess extensive general knowledge to make the grade.

 

   An interpreter's job is one of the most highly paid yet the most difficult to qualify and train for. Your job is to put across the real sense of what is being said in one language to those listening in another language while making it as alive and spontaneous as the original. You may use one of the two methods:

   In simultaneous interpretation, the speech is translated as it is delivered, while in consecutive interpretation you take notes while the speaker is speaking and then, after each statement, translate the message in full in the other language. 

 

 

  Conference interpreting is generally limited to a small number of languages - English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic at the international level, and the languages of the member countries of the EU. 

 

 

  Conference interpreters usually have a degree in a language as well as a special degree in translation or interpretation. Proficiency in at least two languages is essential. 

 

 

  For international conference interpreters, membership of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) is required. This is difficult to obtain and apart from a degree, requires 200 days of work as a freelance interpreter which may take years. AIIC takes in only 50-60 members each year and is the only global association of conference interpreters with 2,667 members spread across 87 countries specialising in 45 different languages. Details are available on www.aiic.net  

 

 

  Besides promoting conference interpretation, and protecting the interest of its members, AIIC sets the standards for interpretation schools so that their trainees meet the stringent requirements of the profession. For general information on AIIC or conference interpreting, please contact: International Association of Conference Interpreters, Geneva, Switzerland, www.aiic.net  

 

Which way 

Although I was expecting more marks, I have scored only 49% marks in Class XII (CBSE) boards. As it is a very poor percentage, should I appear for the exam again? I am very confused and depressed. 

   Manish Jain

 

Board results are not always a true mirror of a student's abilities. At times, they can be very unpredictable. You have several remedial options to choose from:

   First things first, apply for verification of marks within 21 days of the declaration of your results.The forms can be collected from designated schools. 

   Reappear for the class XII exams as a private candidate from your own school or directly from the CBSE. However, you will have to surrender your previous marks,so make sure your performance is really good this time. Application forms for the Secondary and Senior School Certificate Exam for private candidates from Delhi Region are available from mid-August up to early October. Check with your own school or from your state board for details. 

   You can also appear for the CBSE Class XII exams through Patrachar Vidyalaya (D/o Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi). The Delhi Senior Secondary Exam is conducted by CBSE for students studying through distance learning mode in all three streams. Details: are available on www.delhigovt.nic.in . Check with your State Department of Education on your state government's website. Personal contact programmes are held on Sundays and other gazette holidays as well as in the autumn break at several schools all over the city. The other option is to take the Class XII exam through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). NIOS provides you an opportunity to study and clear a subject in which you may have fared poorly either in high school or the plus two of the CBSE syllabus. Exams are conducted twice a year in May and November. You can appear in as many subjects as you like at a time. Incidentally, you are permitted as many as nine attempts. 

   Another option is to go for a Bachelor's degree through distance learning offered by Delhi University's Campus of Open Learning. If you do really well in the first year, you can even hope to migrate to a full-time course in the second year. 

   Also, even if you were to complete your graduation entirely through distance learning, your degree certificate will not mention anything to that effect. Moreover, a good percentage at the graduation level will compensate for relatively poor performance at the school level. 

   Of course the latter option may not be the ideal one for you if your heart is set on pursuing a professional course like engineering, medicine or architecture straight after class XII, which cannot be done through correspondence or pursued at the postgraduate level unlike some other professional courses e.g. MBA, MCA, mass communication, law, etc. which are open to students of all streams. 

   As for students who have got a 'Compartment' in any subject, they need not lose heart either. If it's any solace, over 50% students under the CBSE Board flunk their Class X exams. And the number of those who have failed in two subjects runs into lakhs. 

   Earlier only those students who failed in one-subject were allowed to take the compartment exams. However, now even those who fail in two subjects are allowed to do so,on an experimental basis. 

   This means that you now get a chance to improve your grade by taking the exam in August. The results will be out in September. If you have scored better than an "E" grade (on a 9-point scale), you can happily join the rest of your classmates in Class XI. 

   Examinees taking the CBSE Secondary/Sr. School Certificate Exams because they failed in the previous attempt now have three chances, instead of two to clear the compartment exam. 

   What's more, in a welcome move, the CBSE Board now provides a consolidated mark sheet to students. It will not show whether the marks have been acquired through the main or the compartment exam. Until now, the compartment was indicated on the initial mark sheet, while a separate mark sheet was issued for the compartment subject/s, which often proved to be a stigma creating problems of acceptability in many places. So do make the most of this golden opportunity. 

   Remember, success is not measured by how high you climb, but how high you bounce when you hit the bottom. Best of luck.

 

Road ahead

I have completed BSc in agriculture. I want to know if I can do business management in agriculture by distance learning. 

   Raj Krishan Gaud

 

Yes you can. Here are some options you can check out:

 

   The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) with Global Open Food and Agriculture University (GO-FAU) offers MSc in agriculture economics and business. Details are available on www.ignou.ac.in, www.ifpri.org

 

   Ch Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University's department of postgraduate Studies, Hisar (Haryana) offers 

postgraduate diploma in agriculture marketing and management.

 

   International Institute of Agroinformatics & Agromanagement, 

Suraj Kund Road, Meerut (UP), offers postgraduate diploma in agro management /agroinformatics.

 

   Pondicherry University, 

Directorate of Distance Education, Pondicherry offers postgraduate diploma agriculture marketing.

 

   Yashwantrao Chawan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik, offers postgraduate diploma agri business management, www.ycmou.ernet.in  You need to have a foundation in agriculture of YCMOU or two-year diploma in agriculture from any university.

At Crossroads 

I have taken class XII exams with maths. I don't want to do BTech. Which of the two is good for me - BBA or BCA? Which field has more career opportunities? 

   Jaid Nath

 

It depends on which field you are interested in. However, I think doing a BCA may be a good option, at this point -- particularly since you had maths as a subject in class XII. This will enable you to do an MCA subsequently, if you are interested in specialising in this field or pursue an MBA or any other professional course like law or mass communication, depending on your interest.

 

 

Sunil Sharma

    Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

 

Future of English Language

A SEMINAR ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNDERLINED THE NEED TO DEVELOP THE LANGUAGE WITH OTHER REGIONAL LANGUAGE

THE importance of knowing English in today's world cannot be denied. But English should not be imparted at the cost of other regional languages. If English has to develop in India, it has to be developed in partnership with other regional languages.

A seminar on English, India and Globalisation highlighted the dangers that might arise if due care is not taken to respect other regional languages. "Indeed English as a language is high in demand which forces parents and schools to ram it down the throats of children resulting in producing a class of people that is neither fully literate in its own language nor trained in English.This is dangerous because a person needs to be at home with languages he communicates with," said Mark Tully, author and journalist, while speaking about the past and future of English language in India at a seminar. Tully emphasised that English needed to be promoted in India in partnership with other regional languages.

The seminar recently organised by the English Speaking Union in association with the British Council in the Capital, brought to light many issues concerning promotion of English language in India. English has played a very important role in India's growth story as India became a preferred destination for business process outsourcing because Indians speak better English than Chinese or South-Asian counterparts.

"The importance of English as the language of a growing Indian economy cannot be denied. But since English is not the only language in multi-cultural multi-lingual India, which has 16 official languages, there is a need to respect vernacular languages. If English is not promoted in partnership with these languages, the people who favour classical languages might prevent the development of English in their respective regions," warned Tully, who was concerned that this clash could reinforce the belief that English is a language acquired by colonial rule. On the other hand, Gurcharan Das, author and journalist, drew concerns of English language becoming the language of the masses. He said, "Learning English as a tool for communication has gained importance across India, in that sense English has got democratised, but at the same time this increasing demand for English has upset the growth of other regional languages.

All the books on science, maths and technology in higher education are in English." But would the teaching of so many languages create a problem for the child? "Indians have a natural ability to be multi-lingual. There is no reason why English can't be taught with other languages and vice versa.It is useful to have English as a second language in schools because it is a passport to the world. We too promote English among non-native English speakers but with respect to the vernacular language," said Valarie Mitchell, director-general, English Speaking Union.



Sunil Sharma
Moderator
Dil Se Desi Group