If the system has glitches and you want to go through it to reach your destination, chances are you will end up achieving nothing, literally nothing. The way our students approach learning English in our country is an absolute blunder. First, our students treat English as a subject, not a language.
And there’s a difference between learning a subject and a language. For instance, mathematics is a subject. We should learn mathematics in a more subjective manner. On the flip side, English or, let’s say, Arabic is a language. We should learn that in a more practical and linguistic manner. Yes, English is a major subject in non-native English-speaking countries where the mother language differs. Students have to sit for exams in order to prove their excellence in this language. There’s nothing wrong with it. Instead, it is a fair call.
But our approach to learning English is more memorized-based. Students in rural areas of our country are asked to memorize grammatical rules as a key to learning English. As grammar rules are complex to apply without having a proper idea about the basic foundation of the language, most students can’t figure out what they learn, let alone pass the exam.
So, there are some misconceptions about the teaching method. Who gets the blame? There’s still a question mark about the teaching style most English teachers in our country possess. In Bangladesh, graduating in a specific topic or subject doesn’t mean you are an expert on that. That’s a different ball game, especially when it comes to teaching.
I still remember my primary and high school days when students were asked to memorize 4 to 5 paragraphs, essays, letters, applications, and other material for each exam, yearly and semiannually. The teachers put one on the question paper, and we used to be pleased to answer it. That has still been the case today, at least in the schools and colleges in rural and rustic areas.
But what the heck, memorizing the stuff, whereas most students find it hard writing a couple of sentences on their own on any respective topics?
That goes writing!
Now, let’s discuss speaking, which is the most prominent way to judge language skills within an individual. Even people who claim to be experts in English or can write fluently find it hard to speak in English. And that’s been a real story for the non-native English speakers.
But do you know what matters the most in improving speaking skills?
Regular practice. Without which, your English speaking will be below average. Non-native English speakers are weak in English because they don’t find an environment where they can communicate in English.
Let’s go back to English education in rural educational institutions. The scenario is extremely poor than writing. You’ll find students, even at the university level, who find it hard to tell a few words about themselves in English.
So, what’s the solution then? I would be pleased if talking about problems throughout the day could bring a little solution at the end of the day. It’s time to shed light on the actual solution.
First of all, dear teachers, we badly need to change our teacher approach; I’m pointing this toward you. Dear students, you should change the way you have been learning English. Instead of memorizing grammatical rules, we need to be practical. Believe me, there’s no way grammar can help you unless you are good at the basics. You should have a clear view of the fundamentals of the English language, including how to form sentences, pronounce even the smallest of words, choose the right expression to communicate in the right scenarios, and more.
According to research from ACADEMIA, most primary school students are weak in English due to a lack of skilled and trained teachers who are familiar with modern teaching methods and approaches and a lack of enough materials for teaching in the classroom.
Educational institutions should make enough arrangements to create an eco-sensitive environment where students can practice speaking English. Why not arrange some extra classes and organize public speaking within the classrooms? Why not make the most use of the multimedia facilities to smooth the process of learning English?
The change should take place at the primary level. You can’t expect someone to become that efficient in English, denying advanced English training in the primary classes. The teachers should be trained under professional English trainers. Programs like the English Olympiad should be introduced even in rural areas to give students the vibes they need to improve their English skills.
Students should be asked to be creative. Even if they make mistakes, the teacher must be patient enough to figure out what goes wrong and guide the students toward improvement. And lastly, motivation is key. Teachers should motivate the students to let the fear out of the proceedings and encourage them to enjoy what they learn, no matter whether it is English or something else.
We are on the verge of a positive change, Hopefully.