Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Angrezi Matters

By Vikram

The Education for Education program provides English and Digital Literacy training to Pratham’s Volunteers. The program aims at providing skills to Pratham’s volunteers, in exchange for the time and effort they take to teach in the Read India Program.




There was feedback from some States regarding a lack of interest in English, or at least not as much interest in English as there was in Digital Literacy. I am sure that this is not true for everyone, and this view is dependent on the individual and their priorities. However it got me thinking – why is English important and why is English important in India’s rural countryside?

The merits of English in India have long since been debated, primarily at the macro level. Some argue that in an ever globalizing world, where it is the lingua franca, it is important as a form of communication in the world. Others argue that it erodes our own national identity or our culture or our indigenous languages. However that macro argument doesn’t really apply to the individual Indian.

Maybe it isn’t directly important in the rural India. However that doesn’t detract from its broader value. Thus I prefer to focus on what English can do for someone. English isn’t a basic requirement; rather, it is a skill that opens opportunities and avenues for broadening horizons.

I would think that to be interested in Digital Literacy, and not be interested in English, seems half-hearted. In my opinion, the most powerful aspect of a computer is, for the layman at least, the internet. It allows us to have more information at our disposal and on our fingertips than ever before. However, more importantly, the internet makes this information easier to sort through and so easy to access. Currently 56% of all internet pages are in English, no other language even comes close (The closest being German at 6.5% and, in comparison, the closest Indian language is Hindi is 0.013%) . Although programs now exist to translate, or type or use local languages on a computer, it isn’t really the same, and most importantly not nearly as easy or accessible. Thus being able to read and understand English, combined with having Digital Literacy, is a powerful self-learning system and has great possibility in expanding one’s knowledge and understanding.

English is additionally useful in its capability to help in communication when moving around the country. In a state where your own local language is spoken, you will be able to function comfortably. However there exists a divide between regions of the country with varying language groups. Hindi, which is the most widely known, is spoken by only 41% of the population , more than half the country does not speak it. I do not mean you should abandon Hindi or your local language. I simply mean that knowing English, in addition to Hindi and one’s local language, allows you to better communicate within a larger demographic of our own country and it is especially advantageous in urban India. In addition, there is a practical usefulness when travelling to other parts of the country where many signs, hoardings, banners, directions and instructions are often only in English or in English and the local language.

Its advantageousness in urban India primarily stems from its use in professional life, in gaining employment and furthering yourself professionally. Today English is increasingly important in one’s work life. It is not necessary to get a job, but knowing English does increase the pool of jobs that one would be eligible for. Additionally it increases the possibility of advancement within a career. Thus it is a basic skill which increases prospects horizontally and vertically. Further India is becoming a service oriented economy. In many of these service oriented jobs, bare minimum of English is definitely an asset if not a requirement.
I don’t know if it is a good thing that English is so important in India today – but I believe it is. It is not the only skill one needs, education must be holistic. However at a practical level it is an important skill to have. Thus the work of the English program with adults helps train people for their professional lives, while the work with children lays the foundation for a better future.


Vikram is engaged with Pratham English Team

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