Importance of learning English

Learning English is as important as learnign Bangla. Photo: A.m.ahad/ Drik News

GLOBALIZATION as a phenomenon has not only created opportunities and opened doors but also generated greater competitiveness. Use of information technology has also enabled us to access to information that would otherwise have remained unavailable due to resource constraint. Digitalisation of records has also created transparency and accountability. This in turn has facilitated better governance and equitable approach to one's ensuring of rights and fundamental freedoms. Greater use of the English language has been largely responsible for this.
Bangladesh has had to face several evolutionary factors, which have impacted on its growth as a nation. These aspects -- political, cultural and social -- have juxtaposed with many existing limitations, in terms of available resources -- literacy and tools of science and technology to create its own unique matrix.
As a nation, Bangladeshis feel proud of the their achievements, in the creation of an independent state through a War of Liberation and also in their rich literary, cultural and artistic heritage. At the same time, because of introspection, an awareness is slowly gaining ground that we as a people are sometimes overly emotional in forming opinions, at times sentimental in our response to any crisis, prone to indiscipline when it comes to following laws and regulations and susceptible to ill-gotten wealth due to improper use of socio-metric overlays.
Proponents of misplaced nationalism or converts sometimes take these detracting characteristics further within Bangladesh to religious fundamentalism. The first group lays emphasis on learning only Bangla, adhering to all elements consistent with commonly agreed Bangla ethos, and staying away as far as possible from contamination arising out of contact with foreign culture espoused through a foreign language.
They, in particular, consider English as a corrupting agent of traditional Bangla values. On the other hand, those associated with education in religious institutions -- Madrasas, are also mostly non-enthusiastic about learning foreign languages other than Arabic. English is more or less taboo because of wrong connotations.
As a student of English literature, I have always advocated the need for our students to study English as a language, in addition to focusing on Bangla as our mother tongue and also Arabic because of religious requirements.
Today, in our globalised world, the significance of English as a form of communication of thoughts and ideas has grown. The electronic and print media have particularly come under this influence. This is also true of the world of trade and commerce where English is the least common denominator.
English has also assumed a higher profile in the world of foreign direct investment and the international regulatory regimes including international law. This significance is especially reflected within the ambit of multilateral negotiations related to strategic areas of engagement.
Consequently, it was interesting to see the Editor of the local Bangla daily Ajker Kagoj convening recently a workshop on the importance of learning English and its associative impact on Bangladesh. Participated by eminent educationists and teachers, the meeting highlighted several interesting as well as important issues.
One participant pointed out that the usage of correct, functional English, as a conversation link had diminished over the years in urban Bangladesh, compared to what was true during the British colonial era up to 1947 and also between 1947 and 1971. He added that use of "pidgin" English and a form of "fusion" English had become more common. This observation, I believe has some truth in it.
Bangladeshis today, in a homogeneous situation, rely on Bangla, or sometimes a fusion of Bangla and colloquial English to communicate and interact with each other. In some cases there is also usage of Hindi derivatives picked up from the different Indian TV Channels. This has directly affected the general student population's ability in the field of English composition as well as in the conduct of a conversation or dialogue in correct English.
The situation is slightly better in the cause of students studying in private English medium institutions -- from the primary to the University levels. These students more often than not are able, at the end of their education in Bangladesh, to continue their studies abroad.
As compared to the above, the vast majority of our students in government run schools or in Bangla medium schools run on private initiative in the rural areas face challenges. English as a language becomes part of the course of study mostly at the secondary level. The course is limited and the attention is more on composition.
Unfortunately, spoken English is not given the consideration it deserves. It was therefore interesting to listen to an observation by one of the participants in this seminar. He suggested that as in the case of Biology or Chemistry, a certain percentage of total marks, say 25% in the English language paper should be apportioned for practical tests in the English language, where communication and articulation skills would be tested in the Secondary and Higher Secondary levels. This could be a worthwhile idea to follow.
I have noticed with great disappointment the general inability of our students in being able to speak correct, grammatical English. This is a serious flaw and definitely affects future availing of employment opportunities at the executive levels in our private sector (with foreign participation). The government should seriously consider the implication of practical testing procedures and start training teachers who could subsequently put their own skill to good use.
We need to understand that speaking acceptable English is as important as being able to write it correctly. It would be worthwhile to note in this regard that India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Korea, have all, deliberately encouraged their students and their general populations to turn towards English as a functional second language. That has extended their global outreach and also helped them in attracting foreign direct investment in several sectors including their tourism industry.
My readers need to understand that I am not suggesting that we reduce our focus on Bangla. I am pointing out that learning English and being able to speak it flawlessly will open windows of opportunity both at home and abroad.
Our approach with regard to popularising the learning of English on a more intensive scale could be based on a public-private partnership. Those associated with finding employment for our migrant workers need to understand such a course of action as a skill enhancement scenario.
Time is of the essence in this global competitive world. We need a short-term and medium-term plan and strategy in this regard. Our development partners, especially those from Britain, have already expressed their willingness to assist our relevant agencies within our government in this regard. We need to avail of such assistance in a meaningful manner.
Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador and can be reached at [email protected]