On a platform meant for the promotion of English language, the first citizen of the State gave a call urging people to give primary importance to their mother tongue.
Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh E.S.L. Narasimhan said English was fast becoming the common language in a country with diverse languages and appealed to the citizens to not neglect their native language.
He felt that knowing how to read and write Indian languages has its own advantages since Sanskrit forms the basis of not only local but global languages.
The Governor was speaking at the inaugural of the fifth International English Language Teacher Educator Conference (TEC 15) in Hyderabad on Friday. The event is being organised by British Council in association with English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU).
Mr. Narasimhan, in his speech, pointed out a problem being created as a result of growing influence of English language. “Are we creating a society of have’s and have not’s based on the knowledge of English language? Let us not make it elitist. Parents are sending their children to private schools as English is taught well there. It’s time now that English is introduced in all government schools,” he said.
He felt that India’s human resource potential can contribute greatly to the English language in the form of teachers if they are trained well.
Global conference
The conference is being attended by about 1,000 participants from over 30 countries, including teacher educators, ministerial officials, heads of universities and colleges, representatives of the vocational sector, NGOs and policymakers.
Sunaina Singh, Vice-Chancellor, EFLU, said the critical aspect of higher education in India is sustaining quality. Keeping abreast with changes by constantly re-inventing the curriculum is one way of improving the standard of English.
Chris Brandwood, Director, English, British Council South Asia said: “The theme for this year’s conference is timely from a national and global perspective. Internationally, the most recent global monitoring report highlighted quality as its central concern. Key initiatives such as Teacher Education Mission (2013), National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (2009-10) and 12th five year plan highlight issues of quality as fundamental to professional development of teachers.”
Mei-kwei Barker, Director, British Council South India said that about 20,000 persons from across the globe have registered to follow the proceedings of the conference through digital platforms.
Are we creating a society of have’s and have not’s based on the knowledge of English language? Let us not make it elitist. It’s time English is introduced in all government schools
E.S.L. Narasimhan
Governor of AP, TS
