This research paper highlights the need to acquire spoken English skills in India at a time when India is high on globalization and the positive role played by Spoken English classes in urban India. The process adopted was to meet people attending such classes and seek responses to a questionnaire designed to understand as to why they have joined Spoken English classes. Analysis of the responses to the questionnaire brings to the table, deep insight into reasons for learning to converse in English. It also reveals the urgency for people to learn the language to keep pace with changing times. It very clearly brings out that the new generation looks at proficiency in Spoken English as a much required skill when it comes to employability or better …show more content…
Ability to speak different languages always helps people to communicate better. When a communication takes place in a language that both the parties understand; the communication is more effective and the understanding better.
With globalization gaining ground in India, particularly from the last decade, knowledge of English language has become all the more essential to communicate better with the outside world as it is the language for trade and commerce.
The world of knowledge in terms of books or the internet is available in English, much more than any other language. With technology providing the competitive edge, knowledge of English language has become even more critical as the language of technology and the development of science.
English is in India today, a symbol of people’s aspirations for quality in education and a fuller participation in national and international life. Its colonial origins now forgotten or irrelevant, its initial role in independent India, tailored to higher education (as a “library language”, a “window on the world”), now felt to be insufficiently inclusive socially and linguistically the current status of English stems from its overwhelming presence on the world stage and the reflection of this in the national arena. (NCERT
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Today, when India is poised to be a major global player with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives, it becomes imperative to create systems to impart English language learning and particularly spoken English skills. The stress is on spoken English - verbal communication being used more than written communication in real life to communicate with people.
On an average, students have to study English as a subject in vernacular medium schools for a period ranging from 7 to 9 years, yet the students lack confidence to communicate in the language. The result is that they face difficulties in getting a job in reputed organizations despite having a good academic
People utilize this language not only to communicate with the different people from the distinct countries but also to apply in their daily life needs. Indeed, we can see this popular language at all countries we arrive; therefore, it is exact to say that learning and being proficient in English is crucial in the 21st century. If people are not good at English, they can encounter some problems; such as giving or acquiring the incorrect information, missing the useful inventions, or losing the opportunity to gain the proper
If the company wants to buy or sell it has to be able to communicate with a wide range of diversity alongside its customers,suppliers, etc. If their customers and suppliers are unable to speak their native language, the company fails to limit its opportunities which puts them at a disadvantage to competitors who had adopted English-only policies. Another important factor in business that companies have to attain and be successful at is Globalization of tasks and resources. In a company, language differences can create a dilemma when employees try to work together. For example, a employee from Germany might need input from an enterprise in South America. Without a common ground language, its communication would deteriorate. Having a common ground language improves communication and gives the employees more available firsthand information. With that information their decision making improves. Lastly when we talk about business, negotiations are an important determinant in this field. When negotiations come in mind its still hard even if the situation is spoke all in the same language. So when negotiations are spoke in a multilinguistic manner, implications are easily
Today, 1.9 billion people speak the English language; more than one-third of humanity (U.S. Bureau of the Census). English is also the national language of many countries- countries with a multiple of different cultures- including India and several populous countries in Africa. People in those countries use English to conduct common and o...
Sharma, B., 2008. “World Englishes, English as a Lingua Franca, and English Pedagogy”, Journal of NELTA 13 (2), pp. 121-130. Available from
English in India is taught and learned as a second language. The significance of the ability to speak or write English has notably increased in the 20th century. English has become the de facto standard in India not because it has been approved by any ‘standards’ organization but because it is extensively used by many information and technology industries which are acknowledged as being standard.
English has assumed the status of ‘neutral lingua franca’ (Hyland: 2006: 24) for its pervasive use in both Anglophonic and international contexts to the extent that approximately “one in five of the world’s population now speaks English with reasonable competence” (Crystal, 2003). Canagarajah (2006) reports two different distributions of speakers for year 2050 as follows:
As we have seen, the English language has undergone a drastic transformation from its origins in the 5th century AD. The modern form of English is continuing to evolve and in the future, we may see English evolve to a point where it is unrecognizable to today’s people. The role of English in the future is uncertain, but if the world continues in the direction of globalization, English will certainly remain a global language for inter-cultural communication.
Speaking a language other than your mother tongue opens a door onto the world. Becoming proficient in a foreign tongue equates to a wider range of options in love, career, and friendships.
People live in the world of communication. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Current English (Moore, 1997), communication is defined as, “The activity or process of expressing ideas and feelings or of giving people information”. The significance of communication can be found within the context of a human existing as a social being. As a human being manages his or her life in the course of the interaction between other members of the entire society, communication is inevitable. Communication occurs through the medium of a language and it is presented in two different forms which are written and spoken (Brown & Yule, 1983: 1-10). The importance of spoken performance of a language is becoming more prominent over the written performance capability. It is because the ability to speak a language reflects a person’s personality, self image, knowledge of the world, ability to reason, skill to express thoughts in real-time (Luoma, 2004: ix). These days, due to the global trend of internationalisation, the ability to communicate in English is needed as an essential skill. Whenever the international exchange happens, the use of spoken English entails. However, it is not always an easy task for people who use English as a second language to be able to speak to the level of a native speaker. They have to perfectly understand the sound system of English, have almost instant access to proper vocabulary and be able to place words together intelligibly without hesitation. Moreover, they also have to perceive what is being said to them and need to be able to respond appropriately to acquire amiable relations or to accomplish their communicative goals (Luoma, 2004: ix). Therefore, non-native English speakers encounter these barriers and they are subject to make mistakes often. In relation to this matter, this essay argues that there are socio-cultural factors as well as linguistic factors that affect non-native speakers’ communication in English. It provides analysis of several different situations when the use of spoken English has generated miscommunication problems in regards to author’s personal experience.
Modern English is the most dominant and is required for communications, sciences, information technology, businesses, aviation, entertainment, radio, architecture, engineering and diplomacy. A working knowledge of english has become a requirement in a number of fields, occupations and professions.
Conversational English uses casually with family members, friends, colleagues, workers and employees of organization. It comes in communication formally and informally. It also uses as the social and academic level of communication. It also helps to make business conversation effective in formal and informal meetings and gatherings. It helps to make communicator relax and sensitive. It helps to make good small talk in group discussion, conferences, meetings, seminars and interviews of professional and social level. English as an international language uses comfortably in internal and external affairs of companies /organizations. The learners try to develop their communication especially in English language with effective power of expression through ideas and thoughts. Many persons don’t comfortable to use conversational English in their communication because of their local dialects. But technology helps them to improve their conversation especially in language with new technical advancement in languages and communication. Today, new generation uses various technologies like computers, smart phones, tablets, television etc. to make their life comfortable and easy. Good conversational skills help get
H-learning English will help us in responding to the challenges of the world and technological knowledge that war us at our doorstep in the era of globalization and inclusive culture.
Learning is a life time process. Meaningful learning is a complete phenomenon. With the advancement is science and technology and the phenomenon of globalization, the craze for English has swept in India and the English language sweeps away even into the rural lands. Irrespective of religion, color, caste, creed, etc. there is great expectation by the people from their children to speak good English at the primary level there is a need and pressure in the present scenario to make the best out of the lot in the competing environment to learn English both as a second language and a foreign language. Whatever the age, or level, learning English has become a necessity due to the competition in the society. Has learning English as second language become a methodology or a technological sophistication? Whatever it is there is a great significant difference in learning English both as a first language and second language. The present paper emphasizes the attitudinal challenge and the need for learning English as a second language in the changing scenario.
It can be seen that English has become a global language, which is determined by lots of factors like history, culture and daily usefulness. Because of these factors, the number of people who speak English is still increasing now. English, as a significant part of social life gradually exerted profound impacts on education, job hunting and international communication. Also, it provides the whole world with a chance to share ideas and communicate freely. We are quite curious to see the further development of English as a lingua franca in the
Language is the soul of nations, countries and people. Each country has its own unique, charming, melodic, native language, which is being taught from our childhood. I think that knowing and learning foreign language is the key to development. What is more, it can help to achieve economic success. Those who learns English, German, Polish can be reward in their future, because they’ll be highly trained, educated people. As a result, such persons are also better paid people. I believe that a person, who studies some language studies the world.