IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

 IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The growing demand for both as a language and as a medium of instruction, English needs more comprehensive and planned study in different levels of education. This demand is as a result of Industrialization, Globalization and rapid progress in areas like Information Technology, Industrial Production etc.,

The world now is treated as a Global Village; it is paramount to make necessary up gradation in English language that makes the communication more effective and meaningful. This up gradation is possible only with a uniform curriculum, efficient and effective teaching, use of Language Lab and dedicated work.

There are as many as 1652 languages spoken in India; belonging to five different language families. Observing the various dialects and varieties in languages, we have seen that English is acting as a connecting thread universally. The conditions of our schools is that 85 percent of the schools in India, where English is not one of the languages or is not a medium of instruction. It is difficult to expect every schoolchild passing their higher primary education to have equal caliber and competitive spoken/writing skills in English. Medium can’t be the only reference point to consider the language acquisition skills, but it has an effect on language learning process. If a student doesn’t have expected set of English language skills including spoken, written and listening skills, it would be very difficult for them to compete well in the employment market.

Mother Tongue influence:

Most of the schools where language is taught through bilingual method and this result in the student getting more affinity towards the language through which another language is taught. Every language has its own structural and grammatical differences and learning English through bilingual method and language translation method makes it difficult to understand, follow and learn it as a second language.

The challenges faced by the students in learning English include:

 Difficulties in understanding and following the language if bilingual method is not employed.

 Students from rural areas find it difficult to cope up with other students who are either from urban or from English medium schools.

 The translated versions of the lessons are relied upon and translation from such notes into English is tried during examinations.

 Grammar is considered only as elements that scores marks but not as building blocks for language learning.

 Lack of motivation for learning and enhancing language skills.

 Limited classes available because of the semester scheme.

The problems mentioned above may also be because of

 Lack of teachers

 Limited proficiency of the teacher

 Teacher’s lack of proper exposure to language

 Lack of teaching aids, teaching skills etc.,

 Lack of interest among students.

 Lack of Language Laboratories in technical education

The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) – 2005 provides the following guidelines for language education in schools

 Language teaching needs to be multilingual not only in terms of the number of languages offered to children but also in terms of evolving strategies that would use the multilingual classroom as a resource.

 Home language(s) of children should be the medium of learning in schools.

 If a school does not have provision for teaching in the children home languages(s) at the higher levels, primary school education must still be covered through the home language(s). It is imperative that we honor the child’s home language(s). According to Article 350A of our Constitution, ‘it shall be the endeavor of every state and of every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups’.

 Children will receive multilingual education from the outset. The Three language formula needs to be implemented in its true spirit, promoting multilingual communicative abilities for a multilingual country.

 In the non-Hindi speaking states, children learn Hindi. In the case of Hindi speaking states, children learn a language not spoken in their area. Sanskrit may also be studied as Modern Indian Language (MIL) in addition to these languages.

 At later stages, study of classical and foreign languages may be introduced.

Students of Technical courses are expected to have a range of communication skills in English so that they survive the race of competitive world. English is a global language and terminologies in technical education require English that can’t be replaced by any other language.

Experts say that in the competitive world, not only the academic knowledge and scores are considered but more often, the communication skills and soft skills are expected from the candidates. If the student doesn’t attain a minimum level of set of communication skills, then the academic knowledge is seldom considered by the industry.

The market trends directs us that more than the technical acumen, soft skills are required for a technical student. These soft skills include communication, creativity, adaptability, negotiation, interpersonal skills, collaboration and leadership. Communication includes speaking, writing and listening and one who is good in communication skills; feels easy in speaking, writing technical papers, business writing, presentation preparation, listening to customers, clients or project partners which are very crucial to success.

Creativity is essential for any technician; organizations depend on creative employees to come out with innovative techniques and solutions. Creativity is essential for any engineer in designing, problem solving, identifying the source of the problem.

Technical students should understand the importance of English language, communication skills and soft skills, so that they can reach their goals. Teaching skills to these students according to the industrial requirements is the need of the hour.

Prof. Deepak Dongre G

Dept. of English

Govt.RPWPT, Shimoga