In my previous article I tackled some tasks on the problem of not learning English and promised to continue showing the right approach to learning English Language. It has now come to an enigma to every Somalilander and I am on my way to give my beloved people to the best prescriptions. Previously, I pointed out that English has minor and major skills. In this piece of writing, I shall deal with the major English skills. These skills are four in number: Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. The first one is writing. 
This is the most important aspect of English major skills. Unfortunately, its prominence is far from our students and teachers collectively. In writing, a teacher should first teach the student ‘mechanics’ which can be capitalization and punctuation. A major disaster that I have come across more than ten times is the proper nouns. The systematic rule confirmed by the Latin scholars is “Proper nouns should be capitalized.” Consequently, they soon start arguing. Some simply say, “Waa iska caadi.” This means that capital letters may be omitted. A student should also be taught the punctuation generally and particularly commas and full stops. By the way, an ESL teacher should start the writing for the student as far as the student twigs the mechanics in the most appropriate way, followed by miscellaneous exercises. A paragraph is first to be started with. It is worth remembering that paragraphs are the struts for academic writing which will be the last tasks given to advanced students at colleges and universities. Therefore, students should grasp profoundly to this area and teachers should percept the learners widely. After that, students should be taught the composition, letter, article and report. More specifically, composition is an important aspect which students need to further understand and practise writing. One remarkable problem I always experience is that teachers give students wrong names – topic – is a word which makes me more irritating. Most teachers across the country misunderstand the writing skills and teach students the so-called “memorized topics.” For instance, if you offer a student a writing task on Hargeisa Water Shortage, he/she will surprisingly write down “Topic about Water Shortage in Hargeisa.” As far as my article is concerned, a student should first choose an impressive title – this is how writing works. The examiner or reader catches the attractive title and give you extra awards, so make use of this. Furthermore, composition must contain introduction, body and conclusion. Introduction must contain one paragraph, body can contain more than one paragraph and conclusion must contain one paragraph. The use of Transitional Signals or Devices is crucial. This eases the smooth flow of ideas in a logical manner which is by far essential. Let me give you an overview. Start with the TS To begin with or first and foremost, and then follow a comma. Common Transitional Signals used are: nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, likewise, similarly, however, nonetheless, lastly and so on. Furthermore, inside the composition, each paragraph should discuss one idea. Start with a new paragraph to add a new idea and strengthen with appropriate TS. A further and very important point to take into account is the relevance. The candidate or any writer must always be on the topic – do not be digressive. To sum up, an ESL teacher is required to teach students the best way of writing a conclusion paragraph. The conclusion paragraph must be impressive this will award student extra marks.
Gulaid Mohammed Yassin(Dalha)
Continued………………
