English Language Teaching
English is an essential language of communication in both India and Singapore. As a language, it is prevalent and common in India used in both business and political situations. English is also crucial to education since it is used as a language of instruction in secondary and higher learning institutions. The language is also common in Singapore, and the country has made it the national language. People in the country acquire the language through school education and is used in management functions, interpersonal functions, and as a tool for both trade and economic development. Because of the role English plays in the social and economic development of Singapore and India, I would recommend it to be taught in the two countries. However, for the language to be effectively taught and used some changes need to be made.
English must be promoted as a language for everyone member in society and not as for the upper class only. The caste system is still highly visible in the country’s social, economic, and political spheres. English has not been spared, and it has been influenced by the caste system that identifies the language with the country’s upper class. English is regarded as the language of communication among India’s upper castes that gives honor and identity. For the language to be accepted by everyone in the country, the stigma that associates English with individuals of upper social status should be eliminated. English needs to be promoted as a global language that aids in communication among persons of different nationalities and ethnic groups and a medium that promotes not only economic development but unity as well.
Currently, English is only used as a major tool of instruction in India’s secondary schools and higher learning institutions. This has only managed to promote English as a language belonging to persons of upper castes and not the poor in society. To effectively promote the language, teaching has to begin in the early stages of learning. Many people in India belonging to the lower class attend elementary school and a significant number do not make it the secondary level and even fewer manage attain higher learning. This will mean people in the country will be exposed to English language in their early years of learning and perfect in it as they proceed to secondary and higher learning institutions. Also, doing that will allow English to be a language for everyone rather than to distinguish between low and upper classes. According everyone the opportunity to learn English will eventually make India’s people identify with the language just like people in Singapore use Singlish as a symbol of identity.
Teaching Standard English language is essential for Singapore if the country has to further reap from adopting the language. Singapore intends to be the center of Asia and that means it will attract persons of different nationalities relying on English for communication and business transactions. Currently, Singlish, a form of English that incorporates local languages, is used along side the language as the official dialects. However, there is a significant difference between Singlish and English. To promote English among its population, Singapore has to teach standardized English from Britain as adopted during the colonial times. This means that people of different nationalities will not have trouble communicating with locals thus making Singapore the most preferred country for foreign investments and a center of Asia.
Singapore and India, just like many countries in Asia that were colonized by Great Britain have a similar past when it comes to the English language. The language was made popular in India and Singapore after colonialists assimilated the locals. It was therefore left as the official language when they left for historical reasons. Currently, English language is common in Singapore and widely popular among the new generation. That is unlike in India where it has been left as a language of the upper class. Unless interventions are made, the population using English as a language is expected to reduce. This will be as a result of the multiple languages being used in the country coupled with high dropout rates in secondary and high schools common in low caste groups. In future, Singapore is expected to continue taking strides in promoting English. It will be country’s not only official but also social language.