LIMS BANGLA SCHOOL

Pantho SayedW.T. Clarke High School

Business Service Operations

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Research was conducted on occurring

problems Primary method- interviews with people

associated with the organization Secondary method- consultation with Prof.

Jensen and online research Proposed Plan- সহজ শি�ক্ষা� (Shahoj

Shikkha) with 3 branches Proposed Budget- $7,500 Focus on Generations Z and Y

THE ORGANIZATION

Founded October 2010 by Bangladeshi immigrants

3 classes of 5-6 students each, operates Saturdays

Students learn alphabet and vocabulary Reading and Writing is emphasized Annual Poetry Competition

DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITY

Economic- East Meadow residents have high incomes to afford language education for their children

Geographic- LIMS Bangla School is centrally located in East Meadow

Demographic- East Meadow has a high percentage of Asian immigrant residents

Socioeconomic- High income combines with the percentage of immigrants to create a drive for language education

CURRENT TARGET MARKET

Focus on children and adolescents 5-18 years old From families with an average of 4-5

members Ethnicity of Bangladeshi-American Principally from East Meadow Loyal to Bangla class because of LIMS

affiliation Try to assimilate into American culture “Forced” by parents to attend classes Almost no information about organization

FINANCE

As told by Principal Mujibur Rahman Non-profit organization Expenses estimated around $7000 annually Expenses- teacher salaries, ceremonies, textbooks,

other class materials Sources of Income

$100 nominal entry fee per student (annual) Donations- privately funded, Annual Fundraising Dinner Donations generate approximately $6000

Expenses are currently being met for about 2 years Money is not a major concern or goal

RESEARCH METHODS Primary Method

Series of interviews with principal, students, teacher, and parents

Each group received unique questions Financial summary of LIMS, problems faced by

Bangla School Principal- internal problems with school,

management issues Students- personal experience with school, opinions

on school activities and issues Teacher- problems with students, curriculum and

discipline Parents- child(ren)’s performance in school,

importance of learning Bangla

RESEARCH METHODS CONT.

Secondary Method Consultation with Professor Kari Jensen

Associate Professor of Global Studies and Geography at Hofstra University, conducted research in Bangladesh

Presented with problems from interviews, gave possible solutions

Online Research Various web resources were looked at Better Language Teaching by Chris Cotter The Guardian- “What’s the Best Way to Teach

Languages?” Focused on improving language pedagogy

FINDINGS (PRINCIPAL)

Mr. Mujibur Rahman Steady decrease in student re-enrollment rates Lack of student interest in learning Bangla Surprising low student dropout rates Poor class division- students of varying ages are at same

skill level; classes separated by age Teachers do not understand their class Very little homework should be given Increased parent-teacher communication Classroom should become fun and interesting Focus on oral language Proposed Budget- $8000-$10,000 yearly for new teacher

& class, additional programs

FINDINGS (STUDENTS)

Gave unique responses The Bangla language is somewhat taught No connection with Bangladesh Interest at first; decreased after enrollment Harsh teaching methods, focused on textbooks Ethnocentrism and propaganda Unorthodox teaching methods Lack of professionalism Great fatigue before class Excessive amounts of homework Bangla School website; online homework assignments Skill-based classes

FINDINGS (TEACHER)

Mrs. Ishrat Talib Enjoys teaching children Bangla Nice environment and teachers Insufficient number of students Lack of teaching variation Waning parental involvement Lessons are taught repeatedly Oral examinations Frequent discipline issues Fair amount of homework required Interesting and active curriculum Interclass projects

FINDINGS (PARENTS)

Gave unique responses Drive to connect with their roots; overcome language

barrier Emphasis on reading Expectations seldom met Lack of professionalism and organization Outdated teaching methods Increased parent-teacher communication Friendly and fun-oriented teaching Equal parent-school responsibility Motivate students to learn Celebrate Bangladeshi holidays Varying homework/class division opinions

PROF. JENSEN Use Bangla Music as an aid to learning Open dialogue with students Skill based classes Peer teacher system Regiment class day; learning blocks in

curriculum Group competitions and games Teacher workshops with successful

teachers Study and present on research materials

ONLINE RESEARCH

The Guardian Article by Martin Williams Computer, audio-visual, & kinesthetic teaching Focus on accomplishing learning tasks Grammar-translation methods

Better Language Teaching- Chris Cotter Encourage mistakes; self and peer correction Connect lessons with previous material Fluency and accuracy activities Warm Ups, drills, dialogues, & role-plays Pairs and groups Limit teacher talk time

CONCLUSIONS (PRIMARY)

Strengths/Opportunities Very passionate, mission oriented, funding readily

available Weaknesses/Threats

Unstructured curriculum, waning student enrollment, lack of communication

Causes and Effects Causes: Loss of student interest, ineffective teaching

methods, propaganda and bias Effects: discipline problems, only select students

learn, no connection to Bangladesh

CONCLUSIONS (SECONDARY)

Major Problems Declining student interest, ineffective teaching,

poor class division Excessive homework, lack of parental involvement Unorganized curriculum , fatigue, discipline

Possible Solutions/ ActivitiesEncourage experimentation

Interclass Competitions

Celebrate Bangladeshi holidays

Teaching variation Placement Test Small learning blocks

Individual attention Dramas and Plays Less Homework

Self-Correction Online Homework More meetings

Student Discussions In-class presentations

Drills & Dialogues

Segmented Class Study geography Bangla Music

GENERATIONAL GROUP

Mainly caters to Generation Z (2001-Present) and Generation Y (1980-2000)

Organization serves children (5-18) Next wave of incoming Bangladeshi

students Create fun-oriented class setting Connection to Bangladesh Modern teaching methods

PROPOSED STRATEGY

সহজ শি�ক্ষা� (Shahoj Shikkha - Easy Learning) Make learning Bangla easier for all

students Focus on renewing students’ interest

New Design- new class division and teaching styles

New Format- Regimented class day, curriculum with learning blocks

New Innovation- group activities, online website,

social media pages

Placement Test- vocabulary and speaking Teacher observations and workshops Yearly General Meeting Bangla School Website

Mission Statement, email addresses, photos, calendar, teacher profiles

Social Media Pages (Facebook and Twitter)

PLAN FEATURES

PLAN FEATURES CONT.

Regimented Class Day Short Warm-Up and Do-Now Writing, Speaking, Literature

Structured Curriculum Two-month Learning Blocks with examinations/projects

New Activities Peer Teacher system Group games & activities Student-centered discussions

PROPOSED BUDGET

Total- $7,500 Buying Food for

students Website Production

Domain Name Online Curriculum

About 5-10 new students every year

Fifth Year Budget- $8,700

Costs paid from donors and fundraising

500; 7%

1000; 13%

2100; 28%

300; 4%

2000; 27%

500; 7%

800; 11%

200; 3%

100; 1%

সহজ শি�ক্ষা� First Year BudgetTeacher Workshops and Meetings

New Books, Worksheets, Tests

Website

Decorating Class-room

Food

Teaching supplies

Faculty

Flyers, Adver-tisements

Developing Curricu-lum