Secondary level English language learning needs to improve

Madrasa students, during school hours, hardly use English for communication and the rate of using English is only 5 percent of the class time, according to a project report shared yesterday.       

The report also conveyed that the students are more prone to use guidebooks instead of textbooks.

At the closing ceremony of a one-year project titled “Evaluating Secondary School English Language Teaching and Learning in Bangladesh”, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) revealed the project report at a convention centre in Dhaka's Gulshan area.

The purpose of the project was to understand learning in English and teaching environment at the secondary school level and discover ways to improve the condition. The project started last year. 

Department of English and Humanities (DEH) of ULAB implemented the project that was funded by RELO Grant of American Center.

A total of 60 teachers from 30 schools and 10 madrasas were chosen to share their experiences with language experts and with education policymakers under the project. 

They all participated in four brainstorming sessions and five workshops organised under this project. Besides, faculty members from ULAB and selected trainers nominated by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board assessed curriculum documents, course content of three mediums (Bangla, English and Madrasa) and classroom resources used by secondary school teachers.

While presenting the report, ULAB teacher and project coordinator Mahmud Hasan Khan said, “Schools are supposed to instil the basics of English language learning in students. However, the current education system does not reflect that.”

He also pointed out that learning at schools is still based on memorisation.

Referring to recommendations from the report, he suggested forming English clubs at schools, using multimedia frequently and arranging workshops for teachers to improve their teaching skills.

Speaking as a chief guest, Campaign for Popular Education Executive Director Rasheda K Chowdhury said that learning language is a complex process.

Criticising the use of guidebooks and dependence on coaching classes, she said, “We need to focus on teaching and learning in classrooms.”

Vice-chancellor of ULAB, HM Jahirul Haque, thanked the American Center for collaborating with the university.

American Center Cultural Affairs Officer Kelly R Ryan and ULAB Pro Vice-chancellor Prof Shamsad Mortuza were also present at the programme.