English made simple for global success

Md. Noor E Shahriar Sifat, Director, FM Method Ltd.

For decades, English has been seen as the gateway to global opportunities, yet many Bangladeshi students still struggle with confidence despite years of compulsory lessons. Founded in 1986 by Mohammed Feroz Mukul, the FM Method offers a different approach, one that focuses on communication and sentence-building instead of rote grammar. In this conversation, Md. Noor E Shahriar Sifat, who now leads the institute, explains how the method works and why it continues to shape students preparing for higher education abroad.

The Daily Star (TDS): How is FM Method different?

Md. Noor E Shahriar Sifat (NSS): FM Method is not a coaching center but a research institute dedicated to teaching English to Bengalis. Founded in 1986 by my father, FM Sir, it simplifies learning by grouping Bengali sentences into three categories based on their last words. Each branch of "FM's English Tree" has five levels, with formulas for easy sentence construction. Instead of memorising grammar rules, students learn through direct Bangla-English connections, gaining confidence in building sentences. We also hold free workshops so learners can experience the method firsthand.

"Many students struggle with English as curricula stress grammar over communication skills."

— Md. Noor E Shahriar Sifat, Director, FM Method Ltd.

TDS: How many students from Bangladesh do you think pursue studying out of the country each year and why do you think it occurs?

NSS: Some students want to experience different cultures and live abroad, whereas for others, their parents see studying abroad as an investment, because they believe the grass is greener on the other side. In many cases, it is true. From high-quality academics and research facilities to career opportunities with global recognition, studying abroad offers a wide range of advantages that are often missing here.

Every year, thousands of students apply abroad. Their decision is not only driven by education but also by independence, and a chance to transform their future.

TDS: How does this compare to conventional English teaching in Bangladesh?

NSS: Despite learning English as a compulsory subject for about 18 years, many students are still unable to form their own English sentences because the curriculum focuses more on the intricacies of grammar than on the language itself.

Think about it: does a child learn Bangla grammar first and then the language? No! The language comes first. To learn a language, you first need to learn two things: (i) its vocabulary and (ii) its sentence patterns. That is exactly what we do in FM Method.

The conventional system tells students to search for tenses in a sentence before attempting to construct it. FM Method, on the other hand, simply asks learners to look at the last word of a Bangla sentence. This lets learners build sentences creatively and naturally.

TDS: How does FM Method help students with IELTS?

NSS: We use our own grading system. A simple sentence like "He learns" is Grade-0, and adding details progresses the grade. By the time students prepare for IELTS, they already have strong sentence-building skills, which strengthens writing, speaking, and comprehension. That foundation makes achieving target band scores easier.