ENGLISH VINGLISH #2 : ‘Languages Are Easier Caught Than Taught’

I have often wondered how home helpers learn the English Language with unbelievable
alacrity. Within a couple of months of joining a household that uses English as its medium of communication, they seem to use the English Language with greater ease than what some of our students exhibit after years of language learning. I have at times felt despondent about the inability of an English teacher to make her students communicate intelligibly in English even after years of study.

There could be many reasons for this ironical situation. In the case of home helpers, the use of the English Language is a necessity, and probably we can say, necessity is the mother of all masteries, including the mastery over a language. Coupled with necessity is curiosity. The curiosity of the servant to know what transpires among the masters when they speak in a language that is abstruse. Maybe my surmises sound simplistic. I hasten to add that they are based on, not research, but experience.

On the flip side, we have the learners of English, who flaunt even 70 to 80 percent of marks in English on their certificate, but fumble and mumble while making even a minute long self-introductory speech. Why does it happen?

First of all, of the four components of language learning – reading, writing, listening and
speaking, only the first two are prioritised in the examination system. The arena of speaking is the biggest casualty. Language learning has to be experiential. There are hundreds of activities to make learning student centric. But the challenges of students’ strength and lack of suitable infrastructural facilities make implementation hard. Compounding the problem is the attitude of students. They may, in all probability, use the reporting verbs ‘told’ and ‘said’ properly while changing a direct speech into an indirect speech in an exam. But the same students would blatantly violate the rule while conversing with others outside the examination centre. The rules are not internalisedand applied to life situations.

When we cannot change the system, we have to focus on what systemic changes can be incorporated within the system. A Functional Approach to English – focusing more on successful communication than structural or formal accuracy should be prioritised at all levels, despite all challenges and setbacks.

I know that there will be a throwback question, “Isn’t grammar important?”

Again, my answer is a resonant “Yes”… It is. Once the communicative aspect is taken care of, with an increase in the level of ease and confidence, grammatical correctness will fall in place. Extrapolating Shelley’s sentiments, I ask, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind? When fluency is attained, can appropriateness be far behind?”

Caveat…
Harsha told you would meet me ☹️ Harsha said you would meet
me/Harsha told me that you would meet me????