Why is English taught as a second language and not as foreign language in India?

Detailed Solution. English, in India, is mainly taught as a second language. English has been playing an important role in our educational system as well as in our national life. English was supreme in pre-independent India, because of British rule over India.

Why is the English considered as a second language and not a foreign language in India?

In addition to first language, the language that we acquire is termed as the second language. English is the major language used for international communication. India is a country which has different languages, customs, cultures and rituals. English is an official language as well as an important language in India.

Why did English become the second language in India?

During the British Raj, lasting from 1858 to 1947, English language penetration increased throughout India. This was driven in part by the gradually increasing hiring of Indians in the civil services. At the time of India's independence in 1947, English was the only functional lingua franca in the country.

Why teaching of English as a second language is important in India?

English symbolizes in Indian minds better education, better culture and better intellect. It is still freely used in administration, judiciary, in education and even for literary purposes in India. It, thus, becomes clear that English by now has become the most significant language in India.

Is English taught as a foreign language in Indian school?

English is introduced as a second language from grade 5 onwards. Some states also mandate learning of a non-native third language from grade 6.

4 reasons to learn a new language | John McWhorter

Is English a second or foreign language in India?

Abstract— English is spoken as a second language by many countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Shri Lanka, Nigeria and Tanzania. In these countries English is spoken as a non-native or second language, and used for various purposes official, educational, social and interpersonal.

Why do students in India learn English?

It is the primary language of international business, science, technology, and diplomacy. Proficiency in English allows Indian students to connect with the global community and access a wider range of opportunities worldwide.

Why is English taught as a second language?

English is the lingua franca

English is the lingua franca. Wherever you go, you see non-native English speakers communicating in English. No other language facilitates as much communication as English does worldwide. It doesn't matter where you're from or who you want to connect with, English will help you.

What are the problems of teaching English in India?

Why English is considered as second language?

English as a second or foreign language is the use of English by speakers with different native languages, often with students whose native language is not English and are learning to speak and write English, commonly among students Language education for people learning English may be known as English as a foreign ...

Why English is not a foreign language?

English is considered a second language in countries where the majority of the population is a non-native speaker of this language. Such countries have adopted English to be their official language as they have their own mother tongue. They use it as the primary medium of instruction in the country to communicate.

What is the difference between English as a foreign language and second language?

ESL (English as a Second Language) refers to learners who are using English in order to communicate in a second language. On the other hand, EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners are those who are studying English in a non-native country.

Is English a foreign language or not?

Because English is the world's “Lingua Franca” (a common language that's used to bridge together speakers of other languages), non-native speakers are learning English as a foreign language in order to take advantage of the benefits which come with it.

What are the disadvantages of English in India?

What were the disadvantages of English education system in India?

What is the status of English teaching in India?

English functions as medium of instruction across schools in more states than any other language now, and more than 40% of total schoolchildren are enrolled in English-medium schools (Mohanty, 2019).

Should English be taught as second language?

Learning English as a second language could be one of the best decisions that you ever make. Being fluent in English can help you in many ways, whether you are planning to travel, study in an English-speaking country, emigrate, or improve your career prospects.

What is the difference between a second language and a foreign language?

… “foreign language' is used to denote a language acquired in a milieu where it is normally not in use … A “second language” on the other hand, is one that becomes another tool of communication alongside the first language; it is typically acquired in a social environment in which it is actually spoken.

Should I teach English as a second language?

Becoming an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher might just be the greatest career move you ever make. In 2022, it's estimated that 1.35 billion people speak English, with 360 million of those using it as their primary language.

Why is English popular in India?

During the British Raj (1858 to 1947), English-language penetration increased throughout the subcontinent. This was driven in part by the gradually increasing hiring of Indians in the civil services. At the time of Indian independence in 1947, English was the only functional lingua franca in the region.

What's India's second language?

Bengali. The second most spoken language in India by the number of speakers is Bengali and has 9.72 crore speakers. The Bengali-speaking population is 8.03 per cent of the total population.

What is India second foreign language?

India has adopted Korean as an elective for a second foreign language at the secondary school level to join Thai, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.

What are the disadvantages of English as a global language?

However, there are many more disadvantages. Some of them are losing cultural heritage that comes with language, unequal opportunities for people whose mother tongue is not English and generally a view that English is a tool for the destruction of linguistic and cultural diversity.

In which country is English not an official language?

The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, where the overwhelming majority of native English speakers reside, do not have English as an official language de jure, but English is considered their de facto official language because it dominates in these countries.

Which countries use English as a second language?

While English is also spoken by a majority of people as a second language in a handful of countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, these countries are not considered part of the English-speaking world as the language is still viewed primarily as a foreign tongue and does not serve an important ...