Teacher's Day 2025

When Words Become Weapons: Exploring Orwell’s Politics and the English Language


Celebrating Teacher’s Day 2025 Virtually

Teacher’s Day is a time to express gratitude for the mentors and educators who guide us on our journey of learning and growth. Like every year, our Department of English, MKBU, celebrated the occasion through a Video lecture as part of Virtual Teacher’s Day Celebration 2025, blending technology and creativity to share ideas, insights, and inspiration.

As part of this celebration, I prepared a video lecture, a quiz, and a TED-Ed lesson on the theme:

“When Words Become Weapons: Orwell’s Politics and the English Language.”

The project reflects both my interest in language and politics and my commitment to making literature accessible and interactive for learners. This video lecture is based on George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language".


About the Video

The video explores George Orwell’s influential essay Politics and the English Language. Written in 1946, Orwell’s essay remains strikingly relevant today. It examines how language can either clarify truth or distort reality, often depending on how it is used by those in power.


Key ideas discussed in the video include:

  • Orwell’s five symptoms of decayed language:
    dying metaphors, verbal false limbs, pretentious diction, meaningless words, and overuse of passive voice.

  • How euphemisms hide harsh realities in politics.
    Example: “Collateral damage” is used instead of “civilian deaths.”

  • Orwell’s six golden rules for clear writing that promote honesty and clarity.

  • The contemporary relevance of Orwell’s ideas in today’s age of fake news, political spin, and media manipulation.


Engage Through the Quiz

To make this learning experience interactive, I created a short QUIZ based on the video.

  • Participants who complete the quiz will receive an e-certificate as recognition of their engagement.

  • The quiz is designed to test comprehension while encouraging reflection on how language shapes our world.


Explore Further with TED-Ed Lesson

For those who wish to go deeper, I designed a TED-Ed lesson to expand on the video’s content.

The lesson includes:

  • Watch: The core video presentation.

  • Think: Thought-provoking questions to test understanding.

  • Dig Deeper: Extra resources and readings to explore Orwell’s ideas in depth.

  • Discuss: Open-ended prompts to encourage dialogue and reflection.

  • Finally: An ending note and the link of quiz.


Reflections on the Experience

Participating in the Virtual Teacher’s Day Celebration 2025 at the Department of English, MKBU, was both enriching and inspiring. Having been part of this event last year as well, the experience felt familiar, yet it offered new opportunities to grow as a learner, creator, and teacher-in-training.

Last year, my participation was a journey of exploration, I was learning how to create meaningful digital content, engage with audiences virtually, and balance creativity with academic rigor. This year, I approached the event with greater confidence and clarity. The process of designing a video, creating a TED-Ed lesson, and developing a quiz was not entirely new to me, which allowed me to focus more on depth of content and quality of presentation rather than simply figuring out the technical aspects.

What struck me most this year was how seamlessly technology and literature can come together to create interactive learning experiences. The theme I chose “When Words Become Weapons: Orwell’s Politics and the English Language” was deeply meaningful to me. It gave me a chance to reflect on how language is not just a medium of expression but a powerful force that shapes society and politics. While preparing the content, I realized that Orwell’s ideas are timeless and urgently relevant in today’s world of fake news, propaganda, and digital manipulation.

Another aspect that made this year special was the sense of continuity and growth. Last year’s participation laid a strong foundation, and this year, I could build upon it by experimenting with storytelling techniques, audience engagement strategies, and visual design. It was rewarding to see my progress and to recognize how these experiences are shaping my journey as a future educator and content creator.

Most importantly, this celebration reminded me of the collaborative spirit of learning. Even though the event was virtual, it fostered a strong sense of community among peers and teachers. Knowing that my work reached others through the video, quiz, and TED-Ed lesson gave me a sense of purpose and motivation to continue improving.

Looking back, I feel grateful for the chance to participate again. It has strengthened my belief that teaching is not just about sharing knowledge, but also about inspiring reflection, dialogue, and change. Each year brings new insights, and I am excited to see how these experiences will continue to shape my growth as both a student and a teacher.

My journey at the Department of English, MKBU, has been deeply transformative, not just academically but also personally. When I first began participating in events like the Virtual Teacher’s Day Celebration, I struggled with being camera conscious. The moment the camera turned on, I would feel anxious and self-aware, which affected my confidence and delivery. Speaking into a lens felt unnatural, and I often worried about how I looked or sounded rather than focusing on my message. However, through continuous participation in departmental activities, seminars, and classroom presentations, I noticed a remarkable change in myself. While I still feel nervous in front of a camera that you can see the change in video that how I speak in front of on camera and how it changes when camera is off, however, my comfort and confidence in giving live presentations to an audience have grown immensely. The supportive environment, constructive feedback from faculty, and opportunities to engage with peers have helped me focus on connecting with listeners rather than my fears. This growth has not only improved my presentation skills but also shaped me into a more resilient and self-assured individual, capable of expressing ideas with clarity and conviction.


Conclusion

Teacher’s Day celebrates not just teachers, but also the spirit of continuous learning and teaching.

By sharing this video, quiz, and lesson, I hope to:

  • Spark curiosity about Orwell’s ideas,

  • Encourage critical thinking about how we use language, and

  • Inspire others to create and share meaningful educational content.

Thank you to everyone who watched, participated, and reflected.
Your engagement makes this journey worthwhile. 




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