A comprehensive guide to mastering English

New Delhi: Author Manish Gupta sets out on a language adventure in his new book, introducing the reader to a set of over 750 difficult English words through interesting stories, anecdotes, jokes, etymology and trivia.

Filled with innovative and practical learning devices, "Let's Talk in English" is seen as a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of reading, writing and speaking English.

Gupta says "Let's Talk in English" is not a sequel to his debut book "English Bites!" but a continuation of the same concept of introducing these selected from conversations on varied topics of common interest.

As a learner who has spent many years navigating the treacherous slopes of the language, Gupta recounts his own struggles and narrates his interactions with people to outline tips and tricks to improve vocabulary, pronunciation and spoken English in the book, published by Penguin Books India.

One of the several anecdotes he mentions is about a visit to a college friend of his father. When served tea, Gupta tried to show off his language expertise and redeem the family honour. "I am a teatotaller," he proudly announced only to draw a shocked reaction from the wife of his father's friend. She, however, quickly settled for a soft smile.

Gupta later went on to join his father and his friend for drinks and gulped down a mug of beer. "It was when I was back home that my mom gently pointed out to me that 'teetotaller' is one who abstains from partaking of alcoholic beverages, and not caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, or colas. In my naivete, I had assumed that I was a tea-totaller. After all, shouldn't this word refer to the total abstinence from tea?" he writes.

The author explains the words in the main text or in the footnotes and gives examples on their usage. "My research is hinged on the idea that if you can present learning material in interesting contexts – through amusing anecdotes, jokes, and fascinating trivia – learning will be faster and retained for longer – and, most importantly, it will stimulate your mind to explore the subject in far greater detail than it is possible to cover in a book or two," Gupta, a banking professional based in Mumbai, says.

He says he has personally benefitted significantly from this technique."It has expanded my vocabulary and verbal ability, enriched my conversations through a large dose of interesting facts and trivia about language, gifted me with innumerable moments of humour, and stimulated me enough to write couple of books on this subject."