“ Of all language in the world today English deserves to be regarded as a word language. It is world’s most widely spoken language. It is the common means of communication between the people of different nations. One person out of every four on earth can be reached through English… In India, English continues to be the medium of instruction in school, colleges and universities, and is also the language of administration.
These words written by C.Paul verghese successfully express the palce and importance of English, not only in india but of all the world. Now English is universally accepted as world language. It is also considered as passpart language or window to the world. David Graddol (1997) termed it is a “ lingua franca …show more content…
And at the end of 19th century two more universities started in Punjab and in Allahabad which lead to more spread of school and collages and resulted into increasing number of Indian English speakers. However with the passage of time English educated Indians demand use of mother tongue as a language of instruction and education related to their own culture and as a result in 1917, culcutta university commission comes into existence. The commission also recognized the value of mother tongue so it denotes that
“Mother tongue may be used only in high schools; in higher classes they urged the retention of English”.
Gandhiji also opposed English education system as it purely based on foreign culture. He considered it as a sign of slavery and degradation.
By 1921, the mother tongue came to be the medium of instruction in the middle schools and its use was extended to the highschool by 1927. Which leads towards the lower teaching standard. After 1937, it was decided that vernacular could be used as a medium of instruction in lower school but from secondary and university courses English enjoys the supreme place.
1.2.2. The post independence …show more content…
Hindi or any other Indian language in hindi speaking areas.
English or any other modern European language.
In 1957 CABE recommended that English should be studied as compulsory subject.
1. English should be taught as compulsory language both at the secondary and university stages, students acquire adequate knowledge of English so as to be able to receive education through this language at university level.
2. English should not be introduced earlier than class V. The precise point at which English stated at the middle stage.
From 1964-1966, as comprehensive study of languages at school was conducted by education commission and after the research, the commission has modified three language formula by considering the diversity of language in Indian context. The modified three language formula is as follow.
1. The mother tongue or the regional language.
2. A modern Indian or foreign language not covered under(i) and (ii) and other than that used as the medium of instruction.
The commission also present its view on the status and role of English. It stated