The English Language Is Still A Challenge For Many In India

y cousin who was educated in an English medium school all his life, struggles big time to communicate in English and this is common among many students in India. This explains the rise of English coaching classes in India as well.

According to Shigeru Aoyagi In India UNESCO’s representative, almost a fifth of the country’s population—266 million adults—are still unable to read and some 12 million children are yet to get enrolled in schools

Why do we need English?

English is the most widely used language in the world. It is not only used to communicate with people in other countries but it is also required for pursuing higher studies and getting jobs in India. A lot of companies prefer candidates who have good communication skills in English so that they can interact with their international clients.

Apart from that, English is also used to understand and learn about different cultures around the world. It helps people understand each other’s feelings and opinions better.

English is also used to learn many other subjects, such as science and mathematics. To understand these topics better, one needs to have a good command of the English language.

How did English become so powerful in India?

English has been a powerful language in India since the late 19th century when it was introduced by the British during their period of colonial rule. As a result, English has been used as an official language for government services and in many educational institutions.

This helped to propel English into the privileged position it holds today. Macaulay's famous Minute on Indian Education in 1835 had a significant impact on the educational policies of the time, he advocated for the promotion of English education in India to create a class of Indians who could serve as intermediaries between the British rulers and the Indian population.

His policies emphasized the adoption of English as the medium of instruction in higher education, which had a lasting impact on India's education system.

The use of English in India has grown to include aspects of communication such as business, education, media, and technology. This has enabled more people in India to connect with the global economy and gain access to a wider range of opportunities.

Why do Indian Students struggle with the English language?

The primary reason behind the low proficiency of English among Indian students is that English has not been given enough importance in schools. Students are usually taught grammar and vocabulary but lack practice when it comes to speaking or writing the language.

Students have their regional language at home, which is their primary language. It takes a lot of effort and dedication to gain fluency in English as it is a foreign language for them.

The most spoken languages in India, according to India’s census data, are Hindi (422m), Bengali (83m), Telugu (75m), Marathi (71m), Tamil (60m), Urdu (51m), Gujarati (46m), and Punjabi (29m).- Forbes

According to Forbes, only 30 % of people can speak English in India, which shows that there is a large population of people who do not have access to education, jobs, and opportunities due to their inability to communicate effectively. This language barrier prevents them from taking advantage of the global economy and growing as individuals.

The English gap in rural and Urban India 

The English gap is mainly observed in rural India, where the resources and infrastructure to support education are not developed. Rural students go to schools with less access to technology, books, and other tools needed for their development.

In urban areas, there are more private educational institutions that have better access to resources compared to rural parts of India. This also explains why parents are desperate for English medium schools in urban areas.

"The student-teacher ratio is high, resulting in inefficiency. The rural environment is not an opportunity for students to speak English and understand it. The class size is considerably high everywhere. This is one of the reasons why students cannot seek individual attention. English teaching requires a drastic change in schools and colleges for the good of learners. Rural and semi-urban students in India are facing many problems because English is not their mother tongue. Their second language is English. English becomes the third language in many places as they have a local language, followed by Hindi and French."-Role of English Language in Present Scenario in India 

Why students are not learning English in Schools?

One of the main reasons why students are not learning English in schools is that they do not get enough practice speaking it. The teachers may be too busy teaching grammar to give the students enough opportunities to have conversations in English or use the language for projects and assignments.

Another factor is that English classes usually focus more on theory than practical application. Additionally, most schools do not have enough resources or support for English language teaching.

Hindi is spoken as a first language by 528 million people -- almost 44%. And yet English is the language of the supreme court, elite business, much of government and the national media, and of success.-

Is English still the language of the elite in India?

English is still considered to be a language of the elite in India, as it enables people to get access to jobs and opportunities. It is seen as a sign of higher education and status. People who speak English are often looked at favorably by employers and have an edge over those who don’t.

According to the Lok Foundation survey, English is far more an urban than a rural phenomenon; just 3% of rural respondents said that they could speak English, as against 12% of urban respondents. There is a clear class element at work—41% of the rich could speak English as against less than 2% of the poor.- Livemint

Do English-speaking students have an edge over non-English speakers in India?

Yes, English-speaking students have an edge over non-English speakers in India. This is because many jobs and opportunities require a minimum level of English proficiency. It is also seen as a sign of higher education and status, so those who can speak it fluently often have more chances to get ahead in professional and social circles.

English is a language that is deemed a benchmark not because it has been accredited by many standard organizations but because it has been enormously employed by many information and technology industries that have recognized it as standard.- the pioneer

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