Name: Budhiditya Shankar Das
Course: M.A (English)
Topic: Teaching English as a Second Language
in India by Kapil Kapoor
Semester: 03
Roll No. : 07
Paper No.: 12
Paper Name: English Language
Teaching-1
Submitted to: Dr. Dilip Barad,
Smt. S.B.Gardi
Department of English,
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University
Teaching English as a
second language in India by Kapil Kapoor
Introduction
Kapil Kapoor represents his ideas about the international
language English in India. In our country, English plays a role of second
language. Let’s see his views about it.
Abstract
In abstract, Kapil Kapoor says that we have to
understand the role and goal of English as a foreign language and we have to
choose teaching theories and practices otherwise no any methodology and
technology would be helpful in changing the views successfully.
What do we mean by ‘second language’?
We can understand it in two ways:
· After one or
more Indian languages, which are important and essential, there come
English as a
‘second language’.
· In
school, after the primary stage, second language is introduced.
Historical perspective of English
To know the effect of English as a second language, we
should understand its historical perspective. English has
become centre language, so we can say it is a symbol of linguistic centralism.
Other languages can be seen as a linguistic regionalism. After freedom
from Britain, the main two questions aroused-
· The status
of English,
· Relationship
of English
Those who knew English demanded English, to achieve this,
conceptual structure developed and it has three parts:
1. modernization,
2. mythology,
3. language policy
Both modernization and internationalism became same and
the implication of English made other Indian languages ‘traditional’ means
anti-modern and backward. The second question aroused was the relationship
of English with other Indian languages. To define the
relationship, ‘language-planning’ came out. It gave new
mythology.Other languages became regional languages. Even Hindi became regional
language and it was used in official language and many states made it a
regional language. No any other language can be seen with English, so it became
the language of national integration, a ‘pan-Indian’ language and it
helped in promoting.
English as a ‘window’
Because of the role of English, Kapoor
says that it is the ‘window’ because-
1) It
is a language of knowledge especially in the reference of science and
technology,
2) It is a language of modern
thinking,
3) It is the language of
reason,
4) It is a link language,
5) It is the language of the
world,
6) It is the lingua-franca.
Indian languages are ‘the walls’ and English
is the window and it gives the light of modernization.
Language-planning
To know the importance of ‘language-planning’, Kapil
Kapoor has given the example of the report of the Education
Commission of 1964-66. It says, “most complicated problem that the
country has faced since independence and one that has resisted a solution. It
goes on to add that on account of educational, cultural and political reasons.”
It shows that this problem was since independence and
it is the most complicated problem.
Three-language formula
In 1956, Central Advisory Board on
Education proposed the three-language formula. This idea was adopted at
the chief minister’s conference in 1961 with a modification. The
chief aim for formula was to make English an integral part of school. It
creates negative effect, too. The students who really want to learn another
language, they would certainly learn English now. It made Hindi less important
than English. The students have a choice now to choose between Hindi and
English. Three-language formula has affected even our classical
language-Sanskrit. Sanskrit is now on its decline. What a tragedy!!!!! It is
the language of God and it is being destroyed. The political purpose is cleared
in Macaulay’s 1813 report in which he has said,
“No Bengali who undergoes this education has any respect left
for anything Hindu.”
A student should be allowed to choose any second
or third language.
Failure in teaching English
The teaching of English has got failure to some
extent. Many committees or education commissions tried to solve this problem by
taking information about the weightage, teacher-training, methodology, teaching
theories etc…Kapoor has given the significant example of the meeting of ELT
experts that they gather like Egyptologists meet every year when the Nile has
reeded after floods. Inappropriateness of accepting English as a second
language may be the cause of failure. The ELT experts have given the definition
of English in the reference with the specific functions of English and the
educational planners have defined English by comparing it with Hindi. Hindi is
more effective in reference to English. (Nargis)
English as a library language
The Education Commission, 1964-66 has
said about teaching that in higher education, English will be as a library
language and it should be taught from std.5 though we know that for many
students who come from the rural areas, can’t begin their study before class
7!!!!
What are the first language, L2 and
L3?
The first language is used in the school level as a
medium of instruction and a medium to express and for communication and it is
generally the mother-tongue or the regional language.
The second language (L2) comes after the first
language. It is used to make the speaker able to speak for wider participation.
It is generally the state official language or national language.
The third language (L3) comes after the
second language. It helps to prepare the learner for all-India mobility. The
aim to introduce third language is to make the learners be able to make the
learners express correctly in that language.
Problems of English as a second
language
The second language helps people to keep their personal
relations with others, it helps in business, in their socio-cultural activities
and in the identity with a large group. In India, we study a foreign
language as a second language, as an Indian language. So, we don’t get
necessary competence. U.G.C. sponsored many seminars, tests but all
seem to do nothing. English as a second language creates problems. It can be
solved by removing English as a second language and make it a third or optional
language.
The major problems are the use of language drill, use
of simple text, not sufficient reading, and role of grammar etc…A second
language is generally considered as a language of repeating not for thinking!!!
Any teacher can’t teach limited language. If he wanted to teach one sentence,
he will have to teach grammar, vocabulary, sentence pattern. There are some
conceptual problems, too. For example, the standard of English is falling.
We have failed to make-up our mind to one appropriate
language theory. The west gave up grammar-centered language teaching and
adopted behavioural models. Direct method, Audio-visual techniques help in
language teaching but these all are costly and now even mother-tongue is taught
with the help of these things. India was first grammar centered.
Grammar and mathematics are principal instruments to sharpen the mind and now
the west has also discovered that the grammar is a cognitive and primary to
understand the language properly.
'Method’ and ‘methodology’ are the most
important in the west. It is believed that if we have right method, we can
achieve our goal. ‘Technology’ is used in
methods. Audio-cassettes, language laboratory, television, radio,
computer-use of internet all are used in the technical method and these all
have made the teaching expensive. The tradition of teaching with the
black-board and text book is being lost.
Conclusion-
Thus, we can see Kapil Kapoor in his essay ‘Teaching English
as a ‘second language’ in India’ has cleared the concept of English as a second
language, he has mentioned the problems in teaching English as a second
language, what is the function of English in India, what are L1, L2, L3, the use of technique
in teaching English all are explained in this essay. This essay helps us to understand the advantages and disadvantages of
English as a second language. (Choudhary)
Choudhary, Divya. Blog. 31 October 2016.
<http://divyachoudhary19.blogspot.in/2016/10/teaching-english-as-second-language-in.html>.
Nargis, Saiyad. Blog.
23 November 2011. <http://saiyadnargis142011.blogspot.in/2011/11/ec304-elt.html>.
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