Subject : EC(English Communication) - It's a Child's Right.
Sir
Today we have better schools than we had in the past, good syllabus, large number of dedicated teachers, immensely supportive parents, an English friendly society and a very passionate student community. Still why is it that we don't see good English speakers or communicators emerging in our society? What is the reason for this lack of confidence in English communication among our students ?
One reason for the "POOR ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS" could be that we don't teach our students the "Logic of English sentences " ie., just like in Mathematics we have a mathematical logic like 1+2=3, similarly in case of English communication also there are some very basic rules which need to be discussed and learnt.
A very commonly repeated mistake seen in our classrooms is a sentence like "Are you like music?" instead of the right sentence "Do you like music?". Similarly "Do your friend watch TV?"
This may be mainly because we don't TELL our students in a very clear and focused manner the RULES FOR MAKING SENTENCES IN ENGLISH. Without knowing these rules it is simply not possible to learn the art of English communication. Even a game like football or cricket or chess can be practiced and enjoyed universally only when the players are clear about all the rules. So I think if we start imparting English Communication training to students by starting with the rules of EC we will witness a change in the English Communication Skills of our school and college students which can result in a positive and healthy change in our social, economic, employment and education scenario.
Why don't we think along these lines:
Why don't we think along these lines:
English: It's a language of Power, a Motivational Tool and also a Life Skill.
English Communication: It's a child's right, a mind's delight and also a tool to fight.
Let the discussion continue..
In our educational institutions, are we really teaching and helping students to communicate easily and effectively in English? If the answer is yes, then after completing their education how many of them can:1. ask questions to their teachers in English on any topic of public/academic/vocational interest?
2. answer questions about their own "self" ie., Personal, Educational, Family and Career aspects?
3. make polite requests to get help from strangers in buses,trains or a foreign place?
4. take part in a group discussion and help in shaping the group opinion/perception on the given issue?
5. disagree with someone in a pleasant, peaceful and positive manner?
6. talk to tourists and guide them to a tourist destination in a warm and hospitable way?
7. make a good speech which is direct, less formal thus inspiring and heartfelt?
A shockingly small number of students who can do all these tasks fairly well would reveal to us that the English teaching and learning scenario in India is not what we can be proud of. It's not bright(or right) at all to any person who is concerned and committed about our students' EC skills.
And what is the reason for such a "not so bright (or right)" scenario?
One of the limitations of our English teaching is: The age old educational practice of upholding the supremacy of traditional grammar and literature in the name of English education in India when the most pressing need of the hour is - imparting "employable, empowering and enlightening" modern English Communication skills ie., Speaking, Writing, Listening and Reading skills in English which form the major testing areas in exams and interviews for educational and career enrichment like CAT, IAS, Banking Exams, IELTS,TOEFL,etc.
Besides, studying English is not glorifying text books,exams,writers or any type of accent and etiquettes. It is thinking, learning and speaking in English and also listening actively to a lot of English conversations of different types of people.
And by the way which country in the whole world has the highest number of youngest English Communication aspirants (in the age group 15-30)...........it is Bharath or India.
So we need to think and move fast to cater to the needs of such a huge number of very young English learners who can make a great difference to their lives and society by a life -skill based, emotionally and intellectually engaging English education in India.
The bottom line is to make our "English education" an education in English language skills which can be very much used in the real life for employment,empowerment and enlightenment. There was a time when we worked for the English. Now let the English language work for us, in helping us to lead a better LIFE by Living our dreams, Inking our thoughts, Finding our sky and finallyEarthing our pride.
Jai Hind
Vinod Kaliyath(The writer is an English Communication trainer. His email is cyberjosh123@yahoo.com)
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