Students from the districts of West Bengal appear to be smarter than their city counterparts claimed deputy director of the United States Information Service (USIS) Anthony M Tranchina after conducting a quiz to test the student's knowledge on USA, its culture, sports and films among other things.
"I was surprised at their range of general knowledge. They are so up to date," said Tranchina after the event.
"I guess unlike these students, students in the US are knowledgeable about their own country, but they don't learn about foreign countries," he added.
50 students, four teachers and four West Bengal government officials from North Dinajpur took part in a daylong program at the American Centre on Friday.
The US Consulate General, reached out the students from semi urban and rural areas in the state by initiating this program on June 21. Students from Murshidabad, East Midnapore and Diamond Habour were invited.
The students took part in computer and internet orientation and a spelling bee. The teachers conducting the communicative English workshop said that the objective of the workshop was to improve expertise in English, as district students don't get exposure to learning communicative English at school.
"My colleagues and I took part in the Texas Intensive English Program, organised by USIS in Texas, and from there we adopted methods to teach students English easily," said Sonali Chakraborty, a teacher.
{{/usCountry}}"My colleagues and I took part in the Texas Intensive English Program, organised by USIS in Texas, and from there we adopted methods to teach students English easily," said Sonali Chakraborty, a teacher.
{{/usCountry}}"I came to Kolkata for the first time. I love this event. We are learning new things in a new atmosphere different from out classrooms," said Bikash Mandal, a Class 11 student from Dalkhola High School.