Language plays a very vital role in Human life. Language is used to communicate with people to express one's feelings, Emotions and Ideas. To understand one another language is an important factor. Despite of Individual benefits, usage of Language also improves our social relations as well as International relation.
Being a Bilingual and multilingual is seen as an add on in an individual's personality. India is a country of diversity, where total official languages are 22 and many more dialects. So, It is obvious that to interact with a person from another state and other cultural background one needs to have command over more than two languages. And in India English is that link language which connects person to person at state, national and at also international level. Because of this communication becomes easier and it also widens individual horizons in the way towards personal development. As Frank Smith has rightly remarked…
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
So, To overcome this Socio-Cultural-linguistic barrier English has become the widely spoken language in India. And Demand for English. language learning is increasing day by day. As Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “Government school students mostly come from economically poor backgrounds… This was their biggest demand — sir, mujhe English bolna sikhwa dijiye.”
This particular blog is designed to reflects some more light on the role of English in India, what are the problems students are facing while they are studying English as Second Language or Third Language or Foreign Language and possible solutions which can make Effective English Teaching possible and also some of the activities which is done by me as trainer of English Language Teaching.
1)What is the role of English Language in India according to you with reference to any one essay discussed in the class?
English was first introduced in India during the reign of Britishers. They ruled over India around 200 years. To make their business more easier and communicate with people of India effectively they introduced English and after independence still English remains as important as it was before. Despite ongoing debate about English as an Official Language and English as an Associate Language, English Language widely accepted as Link Language or Bridge Language in India. Which enables different cultural people from different states to come together.
The role of in English in India is a very crucial topic to discuss. Advancement and development of technology and Science demands from everyone to be English Language Knower. Because the whole world shares the same technology and sciences to make their life comfortable and in order to use that technology one must know at least basic English. As Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnana had correctly remarked...
“English is the only means of preventing our isolation from the world and we will act unwisely if we allow ourselves to be enveloped in the folds of a dark curtain of ignorance”
So, English plays a very Vital role in India. It is used almost in every Education field as a language of instructions. It is also used as an International Language for communication. In every Higher Education field English language is at center like IIT, IIM, Technological Colleges.
2) What kind of challenges are you facing and have faced while learning this language?
Languages which we learn can be categorized into three fold structure…
- First Language/Mother Tongue
- Second Language
- Third Language/Foreign Language
As children we grew up with our First Language and Mother Tongue. So, When it comes to learning English as a Second Language, language learning becomes a bit difficult. Because one cannot completely erase their Mother Tongue in a tone of language, accent of language and structure of sentences.
The very first challenge which I fave is the problem of thinking and speaking. When we try to speak in English we have to first think about what we are supposed to speak, and Ofcourse we will think in our Mother Tongue and then we translate it into English. So, During this Long process of Thinking to speaking we aren't able to maintain fluency in speaking.
Another big problem is Atmosphere. We are living in an atmosphere where our Mother Tongue is Gujarati and we are learning English as a Second Language. So, At home we speak gujarati and at the workplace we speak English. Because of that we are speaking two languages at a same time which have sometimes negative effects on our learning process.
3) Write your reflection regarding the classroom activities. What challenges did you face in doing the activities as teachers?
To read my another reflective blog on classroom activities done under the ELT training please Click Here
4) How do you see your future with English Language?
If you know the required English Speaking skills, writing skills and Learning Skills then Of course your future with English Language is bright. But only English Language will not help at every place. You also need to develop some essential abilities through which you can get a decent job where you can apply all your creativity and imagination. Knowing English language may open up new opportunities for you in the future but you also need to get command over English Language.
English is Global Language, So, with the exposure of English it also widens our perspective and ways to see things. So,One can say that the future with English Language is very bright and broad if you are capable of recognizing your opportunities
Thank you….
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