Prof. Ravindranath, Hon’ble Minister for Educaton,
Shri Santhosh Kumar, Mall, IAS, Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan,
Dr. Bradley Horn, Regional English Language Office, USA Embassy,
Ms. Mei-Kwei Barker, Director, British Council [South India],
Dr Ghanshyam Iyenkar, National President, ELTAI
Dr. K. Elango, National Secretary, ELTAI
Dr Tessy Antony, Dept of English, St. Teresa’s College
Smt. Uma Sivaraman, Joint Secretary, ELTAI
Ladies and Gentlemen, Respected Teachers
I am very happy to inaugurate the 12th International and 48th Annual Conference of the English Language Teachers' Association of India (ELTAI), which is the largest body of its kind in the country.
As a professional body that allows membership to English Teachers from kindergarten to the university level all over India, this association is known to provide a forum to deliberate on concerns relating to the teaching of English in the country. I am told that this Association, founded in 1974 by noted educationist the late S. Natarajan, regularly conducts seminars, conferences and workshops on the various aspects of leaching of English.
As we all know, English is one of the largest spoken languages in the world. It is a lingua franca that connects people and societies worldwide. It is also the official language in over 60 nations. Like other languages, English too, has developed over centuries, starting from its Anglo-Frisian dialectal form, gaining shape through Old English and Middle English, accepting words and usages from a variety of sources and asserting its significance in societies all over the world.
In fact, the introduction of the English language had revolutionized our system of Education, though many had seen it as a strategy to smoothen the Colonial rule in the country. India was quick to accept the language as the gateway to a modern education. The magnitude of its influence on our social, political, cultural and educational spheres reflects in our decision to retain English as an official language even when we accepted Hindi as our national language.
Today, the English language enjoys the status of the medium of instruction in most of our schools and colleges, and our legislations to ensure compulsory teaching of the mother tongue has not diminished the significance of English. There are some among us who view the thrust on the study of the Mother tongue as a dilution of the system. They should realize that one needs the foundation of the mother tongue to become better learners and users of English in later years. Besides, to a large majority of people, language is not just a tool for communication, but a symbol of power. In the recent past, our neglect of Indian languages had even brought us to the level of defining socio economic status according to one's fluency in English. Therefore, the people's efforts to ensure the mother tongue's position in society should be viewed as a positive step.
However, no reasonable person would ever advocate that English should not be taught. In fact, to ensure fluency in English, it has to be taught from early years as either first or second language. Nations like Sweden, Germany, and Japan have succeeded by teaching English as a second language to students from early childhood.
I understand that one of the major concerns of English Language Teachers Association of India has been with the practical aspects of teaching English. For many years, English has been taught in the country like a subject, and not as a set of skills that should be acquired, practiced and made perfect for practical use. Our efforts seemed to be directed towards the creation of people who could imitate native speakers of English and not on English as a means of effective communication. This has resulted in many of our youth lacking in skills for communication.
The importance given to the study of English and the ability to communicate in English is evident from the large number of advertisements that claim to impart 'spoken English' training to people. Most of our newspapers have regular columns that guide us to use the language more correctly. Yet, our youngsters are afraid to express themselves in English, mainly due to the fear of making wrong usages.
In recent times, this inability to communicate has often been cited as a reason for the low levels of employability of our educated youth. Let us not forget that the study of English has gained significance in this era of technological advances and nations which were once opposed to English are now encouraging its citizens to learn it. This is evident from the number of learners of English in China; I am told that it was larger than the population of America.
Now that global exposure has become essential in all spheres of life, the study of English has gained relevance. And therefore, we need to think beyond being satisfied with only writing skills in English. At present, there is very little emphasis on spoken and listening skills. This also calls for a constructive approach on the part of teachers. They should act as facilitators, observing how well students organize their thoughts while speaking to others. What we need is not British or American pronunciation, but a natural, neutral and clear accent that would convey ideas effectively.
The use of electronic gadgets is often cited as a modern way of learning languages. Exposure to radio and television was also regarded as a method to improve one's language. But, we cannot ignore the risk in this method. At present, many students spend more time before such gadgets than before a teacher. The use of the language in these media often does more harm than good. At a time when our media care very little for correct grammar and resort to the use of broken sentences, colloquial expressions and westernized gestures, how wise is it to learn from them?
However, I understand that the use of Tablets for interactive learning is gaining currency in education. This has perhaps augmented the experience of reading with audio support and other facilities. But, our teacher community is yet to explore its potential in the teaching of languages. I hope the English teachers would come forward with more options and more effective methods in using such technology for imparting language skills.
Education planners should give greater priority to English in national and regional levels and should devise suitable approaches for teaching of the language at different levels. We also need a more practical methodology for adapting Western theories to the Indian context and I am happy that this conference has its focus on that aspect. There is also urgent need to train English teachers of the country in a long term and systematic manner, so that they are capable of teaching English as a useful tool for local as well as international communication. It is satisfying to note that English Language Teachers' Association of India [ELTAI] is committed to these concerns in language teaching.
As a person hailing from judiciary, I want to inform the august gathering, certain relevant information about the English language which we are discussing from our Constitution. You may be aware that the Constitution of India was enacted in the Constituent Assembly on the 26th day of November, 1949 and came into force on 26th January, 1950. Part seventeen (XVII) deals with official language and Article 343 mandates that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagiri script. However, clause 2 of the same article makes it clear that English language shall continue to be used for all the official purpose of the Union. Though it was restricted for a period of 15 years from the commencement of the Constitution, it was being extended time to time. On the other hand, the States are permitted to use their mother tongue/local language or Hindi as their official language. Another important provision is Article 348, which speaks about the language to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts as well as the Bills, Acts passed by the House of Parliament and the House of Legislature of the State. The said Article makes it clear that all Proceedings in the Supreme Court and in the High Court, Bills to be introduced or amendments to be made in either House of Parliament or in the State Legislature, all Acts, Ordinance promulgated by the Constitution or Governor of a State and all Orders, Rules, Regulations, Bye-laws issued under the Constitution or under any Law made by the Parliament or Legislature of a State shall be in English language.
It is also relevant to point out that recently, a public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court, seeking direction to amend the Constitution to make Hindi as the official language for work in the Supreme Court and High Courts was rejected by the Supreme Court and dismissed the writ petition.
You may be aware that we have a total number of 29 States and 7 Union territories. Admittedly, it is not one language being used in all the States. That may be the reason the Supreme Court refused to entertain the above writ petition and continued to use English as the official language in all the Courts. No doubt, in the subordinate Courts, each State is free to implement their own language. However, whenever the matter comes up before the High Court and Supreme Court, all Orders/documents are to be filed in English language only.
I understand that the affiliation to the International Association for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) of the United Kingdom has helped this Association in ensuring global interaction and exposure. I hope the student community would benefit from this major exposure that is being offered to English teachers in the country.
I greet all the delegates who are attending this Conference, in which nearly 300 papers are expected to be presented. I hope that the papers would put forward constructive suggestions to improve the standards of teaching and learning of English in our country.
I compliment the organizing Committee for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
