India slips two spots in English language proficiency

Kritika Sharma | Kranti Vibhute | Thu, 17 Nov 2016

India is placed at 22nd spot in the new report released by Swedish education company EF Education First. In 2015, India was placed at 20th spot by the same study. 

  

The latest survey on English language proficiency has found that India has slipped two spots compared to last year in proficiency rankings while China has improved its ranking. India is placed at 22nd spot in the new report released by Swedish education company EF Education First. In 2015, India was placed at 20th spot by the same study.

Professors of English language blame it on the decreasing use of the language as a medium of expression. “I am extremely pained at India’s position with languages. This survey must have just talked about one year, but I have been seeing that for the last 10-15 years, India’s language proficiency has been on a decline. This is because students have no scope to express themselves in languages. You see all the tests today, be it UGC, be it the other entrance tests they are all objective-type questions, students do not get a chance to write a full page in English language,” said Professor Vaishna Narang Dean, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. 

“Semi-literate and illiterate people are learning to use technology. They think they don’t need to learn languages. Language education should be encouraged in primary education. Reading habits should be encouraged when children are younger,” she added. 

Aranha Francisca, Teacher, HOD of English department, General Education Academy, Chembur, senior moderator of SSC board and English subject expert, said, “We gave a lot of importance to English language earlier. But now with New Education Policy we take our English subject very lightly. We are not giving enough importance to spoken English, but the focus is on reading and marks in oral exam. Our curriculum has become easy, activity-based and student-friendly. But it does not improve the quality of language or improve students’ diction. Earlier the curriculum was tough and students used to read more, but now they don’t read enough. Students study English but they are not good in spoken English. We don’t study according to international standards.”

According to a professor from Delhi University, learning English from non-affiliated institutions is one of the major reasons that English proficiency has seen a decline. “I do not believe in these surveys, but if at all this is true, it is mostly in rural areas. It is because students are not learning from genuine institutes. There are a number of non-affiliated institutes to teach English language, spoiling it for students,” said Professor Anil Aneja, Associate Professor, Delhi University.