Significance of English Medium Education in India
Languages are important in the life of every nation. India operates in a multilingual, multicultural, as well as pluralistic context. With massive growth, there is a necessity to have a common language for interaction which has led to the learning of English language.
English is a powerful force not just for economics, business and trade, but for mutual respect and progress. It is becoming the common future of human commerce and communication. This is also the language of instruction in all the Universities and colleges across the country. With globalization on the rise, one must definitely be able to communicate and have a good vocabulary in order to succeed in life.
In India, a person’s socioeconomic status is approximately in line with his or her fluency in the language. In other words: this is the emergence of a new caste system. It is deciphered that Indians have come to believe that their nation’s prosperity, as well as their own, is wholly dependent upon not just learning English, but exclusively learning it as a first language. Hence, many states in India have attempted to make English the medium of instruction for all academic institutions.
According to a 2014 report by the British Council and the University of Oxford, the desire to learn and get admission in English –medium schools and colleges is a ‘growing global phenomenon’. It is one of the reasons why the number of English-medium international schools has reached 8,000 and continues to expand. Admission in English- Medium Schools gives students an edge over the others in terms of the following:
- Early introduction helps to build comfort with the language: It has been proven scientifically that the ability to catch new languages slides down with the age. Hence, admission in an English Medium School at an early age can help toddlers to attain command over their language early on in life.
- Language of Science and Internet: English is the language of Computers. It is a language of Science, Technology, internet, Journalism, websites etc. According to the searches it has shown that 80% of the information fed in the computers is in English as it is the most overwhelming language over the Internet.
- Connectivity with the rest of the world: Getting admitted into English –medium schools helps children to communicate and be at par with the world. Lack of English or the mother tongue alone might not allow them to progress at the same rate as the rest of the world.
Like everything else, English- medium education also has its perils. Yet, due to this language almost being a pre-requisite for a bright future, it has gained immense acclamation.
