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Language policy in Education - cont'd
My last post on this topic was about the furor that the ruling
regarding medium of education in schools affiliated to the state board
had created. In it I had questioned the sanity of the government ruling
on de-recognition of schools for not adhering to the policy of Kannada
as medium of instruction.
Education is a multifaceted diamond and language is one of its polished surfaces. One of the concerns that parents and educators alike have is that we are losing the richness of culture that our diversity of language has bequeathed upon us. This is a very genuine and valid concern.
Unfortunately, this concern has sparked misguided actions that is sure to ultimately defeat the very aims that this language policy embarked with.
When one looks at the language policy from this angle, one can see that the intention of preserving that richness is justified even if the steps taken in that direction have worse side effects than acceptable.
If the goal is to encourage and promote regional languages then there are better ways to do this than to insist on using them as medium of instruction in schools.
My children studied in a CBSE school and one of the regrets I have had is that the local language is not compulsory. Very few children chose this even when the choice of second language in class IX came to them. It is common knowledge that even very few Kannadigas make this choice.
The why and the how of this negative choice are closely related. All Indian language have fine nuances and formal learning is a very difficult process which gives a lot less in results than the effort put into them.
What if, a third language - the local language was made compulsory right from primary school?
Yes, I know - non native residents would be up in arms.
But there is a twist to what I am suggesting here. A third language but no exams to be ever conducted and no credits or demerits in terms of promotion to the next class.
I can almost see the smirks on faces with the thoughts that no one would study the subject if there were to be no exams. And that is just what I am suggesting - no studies either!
Now I can see the smirks changing to looks of pity - this woman is surely a candidate for the loony bin.
Not really. If any one has handled a class then they would know that getting them to listen in silence to the teacher is the biggest challenge. That is why I feel what I am going to suggest will work. I suggest that the third language should be a class with only one aim - communication in that language. Students will have the freedom to talk - but only in that language. They could be allowed to crack jokes but only in that language. They could start a discussion on any topic - but only in that language. A smart teacher could introduce stories and classics from that language and encourage free discussion - only in that language. Small skits in the language and other fun activities will ensure that children enjoy it and with no pressure of exams really imbibe the spirit of the language at the same time.
Now what was our aim again? Promote learning of the regional language and preserve it. You can see how even those who would not learn the language otherwise would not just learn but also come to enjoy the learning with this scheme, can't you? Mission accomplished?
Education is a multifaceted diamond and language is one of its polished surfaces. One of the concerns that parents and educators alike have is that we are losing the richness of culture that our diversity of language has bequeathed upon us. This is a very genuine and valid concern.
Unfortunately, this concern has sparked misguided actions that is sure to ultimately defeat the very aims that this language policy embarked with.
When one looks at the language policy from this angle, one can see that the intention of preserving that richness is justified even if the steps taken in that direction have worse side effects than acceptable.
If the goal is to encourage and promote regional languages then there are better ways to do this than to insist on using them as medium of instruction in schools.
My children studied in a CBSE school and one of the regrets I have had is that the local language is not compulsory. Very few children chose this even when the choice of second language in class IX came to them. It is common knowledge that even very few Kannadigas make this choice.
The why and the how of this negative choice are closely related. All Indian language have fine nuances and formal learning is a very difficult process which gives a lot less in results than the effort put into them.
What if, a third language - the local language was made compulsory right from primary school?
Yes, I know - non native residents would be up in arms.
But there is a twist to what I am suggesting here. A third language but no exams to be ever conducted and no credits or demerits in terms of promotion to the next class.
I can almost see the smirks on faces with the thoughts that no one would study the subject if there were to be no exams. And that is just what I am suggesting - no studies either!
Now I can see the smirks changing to looks of pity - this woman is surely a candidate for the loony bin.
Not really. If any one has handled a class then they would know that getting them to listen in silence to the teacher is the biggest challenge. That is why I feel what I am going to suggest will work. I suggest that the third language should be a class with only one aim - communication in that language. Students will have the freedom to talk - but only in that language. They could be allowed to crack jokes but only in that language. They could start a discussion on any topic - but only in that language. A smart teacher could introduce stories and classics from that language and encourage free discussion - only in that language. Small skits in the language and other fun activities will ensure that children enjoy it and with no pressure of exams really imbibe the spirit of the language at the same time.
Now what was our aim again? Promote learning of the regional language and preserve it. You can see how even those who would not learn the language otherwise would not just learn but also come to enjoy the learning with this scheme, can't you? Mission accomplished?
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