The success of Indian technologists in the last one decade is attributed to the fruitful mix of their strong knowledge in the core technology and English language skills. At the same time, thousands are losing opportunities due to the lack of those same English language skills.
There is a perception that engineering college students are technically strong but poor in English language skills. Several studies by NASSCOM and similar organisations have repeatedly emphasised this fact. Interestingly, it is not just the Telugu medium students who suffer from lack of language skills but also English medium students. Where does the problem lie?
Experts say that in the scramble of getting admissions in professional colleges, corporate colleges are focussing on optional subjects and neglecting the languages for the sake of ranks in the entrance examinations. Students rue that they lose touch with the fundamental language and later struggle when they get into higher education.
Some analysis have shown that students getting into Government and minority colleges have proper grip over the language but students getting into corporate colleges are facing problem at engineering. The most unfortunate are the students who did their both schooling and Intermediate education in corporate college.
“After studying in a corporate college, I lost touch with English, particularly writing skills, and I could realise its effect in the engineering course where we have to write project reports and other assignments,” says M. Rajiv, a student of MGIT.
“The gap of two years is making them forget what they studied till tenth standard. Lot of students come from Telugu medium background and they don't enough English language exposure at Intermediate. In such cased students are not even able even spell their names properly. Sentence structuring is very poor and they can't even write assignments properly,” says Madhusudhan Nair, Principal, K.G.Reddy Engineering and Technology.
“Students of English medium background have some understanding of grammar and verbal skills but they lack effective reading skills. This not only affects their communication skills but it also effects their grasping the knowledge,” says M. Srinivas Rao, Associate Professor.
“The Board of Intermediate has designed the syllabus to be taught in one year but in corporate colleges they are teaching it only for 15 days. They are neglecting the phonetics and communication skill programme which is very important in higher studies. They are ignorant about the language and they are reluctant to learn too,” says Lakshmi Mantha, Assistant Professor, Osmania University of College of Engineering.
Teachers opine that some serious thought should go into reviving the importance of English at Intermediate level or else students will stand to lose out. They remind that good language skills are must for writing project reports, face interviews or participate in group discussions – the three key factors in the job sector. Moreover, admission in a good university abroad depends on the GRE and GMAT score and not just final year marks.
