The Aims of Teaching English in India
Aims of Teaching English:- Palmer's view on Aims of teaching English has been endorsed by Thompson and Wyatt. According to them, there are four aims of teaching English to Indian school children. Viz.
(i) To Speak English
(ii) To Understand Spoken English
(iii) To write English
(iv) To Understand written English
1. To speak English:
At the second stage speaking English is easier than reading and writing. At the same time speaking is more difficult than reading as it requires the ability.to f produce sounds and to speak with proper stress and intonation.
Speech is of unique importance in learning a language. It is the base for all language learning. This aim of teaching English is being neglected in Our schools because it is not important from the examination point of view.
At the end 6f five or six years of learning English, we expect the students to talk fluently in English. Their speech should be fairly intelligible to native speakers; For this purpose tape recorders can be used. The ability to speak English is required in big cities, where people speaking different languages communicate with one another in English.
This ability is also required while talking to a person belonging to another state. This aim is also important because the ability to speak English is also required while communicating with foreigners.
2. To understand spoken English:
At the school level, the student should have the ability to understand spoken English, needed in ordinary conversation, exchange of greetings, and news bulletins etc. on the radio, and participation in school debates and dramas.
To achieve the aims students should to given opportunities to listen to English radio. Gramophone and tape recorders can also be used for this purpose. The aim should be to enable the students to understand English spoken by the native speakers.
3. To Write English:
Writing English comes last, but it is equally important. Writing is not less important than listening, speaking and reading One of the aims of teaching English should be to enable the school leavers to write in English simple letters, applications, descriptions, and accounts of events.
The ability to write in English is needed in offices because English continues to be the language of administration at the Central level, It is also the language of communication between the Geritre and the States and between one State 'and the other. The ability is also needed in college and university where one has to take notes from lectures delivered in English as well as from the books and journals published in English. Students should be able to write English correctly and legibly.
All the four aims of teaching; English are equally important. Emphasis should not be placed on one or two at the cost of others. Dr.- West has recommended more reading. But all the four aims should be given their due importance. Champion is 'right when he says all abilities should be regarded as paramount and equal importance should be given to each.
4. To understand written English:
The third stage is to understand written English. It is very important for students. It enables them to have access to the latest information in their subject of study It is expected of a school-leaver in India to be able to read understanding books, magazines and newspapers in English'. He should, if he joins a college, be able to adopt English as the medium of instruction and examination in his studies.
The aim of teaching English should be to enable the students to read with an understanding of printed material in English. At present student's reading comprehension; in English is very poor. They are not able to comprehend material published in English. The main emphasis of working English should be on reading comprehension. Early reading.maybe loud reading. This will prepare the ground for silent reading in English in higher classes and in adult life. Recognition vocabulary of students should be increased to enable them to read English with comprehension.
Aims of Teaching English at the Junior Level
(1) To acquire reading ability and read the material with an understanding that is appropriate
(2) To develop the ability to converse in English so that students acquire command over spoken English.
(3) To speak English with correct pronunciation,, stress and intonation.
(4) To understand English when spoken. The standard of speech should approximate the native speaker's so that if a native speaker speaks English he should be able to understand it.
(5) To enable them to make simple sentences in English. He should be able to frame short and simple sentences to express himself through speech and writing.
(6) To acquire a limited vocabulary which is enough for him to use the language.
(7) To write legibly with correct spelling and using proper punctuation where necessary.
(8) To respond in English to directions calls, greetings etc.
