Teaching English as a second language in India by Kapil Kapoor

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Teaching English as a second language in India by Kapil Kapoor

Prepared by- Divya Choudhary

Course- M.A.

Semester- 3

Paper no. - 12

Paper name- English Language Teaching-1

Enrolment no. - PG15101007

Batch- 2015-17

Email id- choudharydivya400@gmail.com

Submitted to- Smt. S. B. Gardi Department of English

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

    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 Macaulry’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.

    English as a library language

 The Education Comission, 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, 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 behavioral 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.

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