اعزازات:
ناطق کا پہلا شعری مجموعہ’’بے یقین بستیوں میں‘‘رسالہ’’آج‘‘ میں کراچی سے 2010ء میں شائع ہوا۔ان کی نظموں کو بہت سراہا گیااس لیے اس مجموعہ کو ’’یو بی ایل‘‘اعزاز کیلئے بھی نامزد کیا گیا۔ان کا پہلا افسانوی مجموعہ ’’قائم دین‘‘ آکسفورڈ سے چھپااور نثر میں ان کے اس پہلے افسانوی مجموعے کو ’’یوبی ایل‘‘ایوارڈ سے نوازا گیا۔
West generally blames the Muslim world on the grounds that it does not accede to freedom of expression. But in fact, Islam gave the right of freedom of expression for the first time in history. In Rome before Islam was introduced, the rulers used to enslave the masses. Greek ministers, Roman Catholic pastorates, Spanish Inquisitions and the ministerial experts used to rebuff the individuals who used to articulate unapproved religious perspectives. The British Parliament passed a Bill of Rights in 1689. This bill proclaimed the right to speak freely. It returned amid the French Revolution of 1789 which declared speaking freely as a natural right of each person. As indicated by Holy Quran there might be no impulse in acknowledgment of the religion which is also proved from Sunnah and through the actions of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Blasphemy law is a law related to blasphemy, or irreverence toward holy prophets, or beliefs or religious traditions. In the provisions of Article 18 and 19 of the U.N. Charter, no limitations were made for expression which has left the room open for the defamation on name of freedom of speech. According to Islam, maintaining the honor and respect of all people is essential for regional, national and universal peace. Any articulation which abuses peace, honor and pride of any individual, race, religious gathering or any minority assembly as a rule and so forth cannot be incorporated into the meaning of flexibility of articulation or freedom of speech.
Grammar teaching plays an important role in second/foreign language teaching, and according to Pollock and Waller (1999) Grammar is indeed the lifeline to literacy. It is the language which we need to understand in order to be able to use that language effectively (p.2) The focus of this study is to explore English language teachers' views and experiences in teaching English grammar at the lower secondary level in private English medium schools in Karachi. The study followed a quantitative paradigm. Data were collected through survey, and structured interviews were conducted using questionnaires. The sample included 23 English language teachers teaching English at the Lower Secondary level, that is, classes VI, VII, and VIII, in four secondary private English medium schools in Karachi. The study highlighted English teachers' views about the importance and role of grammar in English language teaching and learning, and the teachers' role in grammar teaching. Teachers in the study indicated that their preferred strategies for teaching grammar included use of a wide variety of activities, games and instructions that promote communicative learning of English grammar. The study indicated that there is still no single answer to what is the best way, or the single best strategy, to teach English grammar at this level. Findings point at interesting similarities in approaches used in grammar teaching in both Karachi (Pakistan) and in Osh (Kyrgyzstan). Some differences in grammar teaching strategies between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan arise due to differences between the contexts, that is, ESL and EFL contexts. Grammar teaching is an important element of English language teaching in both the ESL and the EFL context, and teachers are trying out newer approaches, and are capable of evaluating teaching strategies and using strategies that are suitable to their context. My purpose for taking up this study was to find out teachers' views and practices in teaching English grammar in Pakistan. The study indicates that grammar-teaching strategies used for teaching in Pakistan (an ESL context) could be used with slight modifications in Kyrgyzstan (an EFL context) as well. Some recommendations for language educators in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan are highlighted in the study, and the scope for further research in the area is also indicated.