Discussion Topic : Shall we use regional language in the teaching of English at Jr College level?

Discussion topic

Express your views on the use of regional language in the teaching of English at Jr. College level:-

Prof.Tushar Chavan

Discusses topics

1) Is it necessary to use regional language in the teaching of English at Jr College level?

2) If essential, tell the percentage of both languages.

3) English is introduced from primary / KG level; still we have to use regional language in our teaching. What may be its reasons?

4) Do you think that if you use compete English in your teaching, your students will able to understand everything?

5) Give ways to improve English of the students at Jr College level.

All are requested to share your views. I will post all the views in the blog post with your name.

Do write your ground level realities freely.

Please share views.

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 1

Prof.Javid Sir

 It is better to use only English while teaching at junior college level but I would recommend the use of regional language in extreme conditions if the student didn't get the point or have doubts in his mind. His concept must be cleared with the help of regional language. Because every single child matters.

The ratio should be 90% and 10%.

Prof. Pinjari Sir

Agree Sir

Prof.Hanuman Lohar

 I think according to students capability of getting proper meaning of the given content whether in English or in Marathi.

In my class i used to simple English and same translation in Marathi too...

Prof.Ravindra Chaudhari

1.Students come in the class from the various walks of life. Their background in the subject is too  weak to understand the subject at this level. So it's necessary to use biolingual method to clear the concept of the topic to the students.         

2.If the students come from English medium schools then there's no need use bio-lingual method except rare situation. Students in cities are well rather than the students from rural area. Sometimes we can use regional language 30 to 40 percentage in city area and 50 to 60 percentage in rural area. It all depends on the students' grasping power.                                     

3. Students learn English from the examination point of view only. They never create inner instinct to learn English as spoken form.               

4. Spoken activities should be done most of the time. Emphasizing on communication skills is necessary.                              

5. Reading English newspaper daily, watch news in English on TV. Make group of students to let them participate in dialogue /conversation on various topics are major facts to improve English among the students.

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 2

Prof.G J Atram

 Ideally thinking there shouldn't be any necessity of use of regional language while teaching English at jr. college level.  But looking at the dire situation of our students' ability of understanding English we reluctantly choose the last alternative of using Marathi or Hindi in the classroom. Students before us have got the exposure to English, some at Kindergarten and some at their First standard.  Still they cannot understand very simple expressions in English. At many forums we teacher discuss about this problem, but nowhere do we find solution to it.  Eventually we do use regional language to make it easy for the students to understand English.  But to our misfortune the situation worsens. Students get habituated of using their own language rather than using English. I personally have come to use 50% regional language and 50% English. Still I have not received any positive results.  Practically anyone learns to speak any language only by listening to it. I feel if we have that kind of ideal atmosphere around our students at least in our campus, I think students would get more opportunity to listen the language and learn it on his own.  But that seems impossible for schools like we have where other teachers and the administration are not that pro to do it happen. And even in society everywhere propaganda is actively run against English language. My students mostly belong to very poor and illiterate families. Parents do not have any prospects or desire for the children's future. Moreover they are completely indifferent about their wards' education.  And the most disturbing fact is that the teachers at lower classes do not work on the problem at all.  And Government's educational policies add trouble the already pitiable situation. The teacher at Jr. College cannot pay complete attention to the weak points of the students due to the mountain like burden of teaching syllabus and make the students ready for the board's exams. In the limited given time to do this complete makeover the English teacher finds himself helpless.

 Prof. Sham Gujar Lasur Chopada

Use of regional language in ELT

1.Keeeping in view the ground realities of urban and rural level we unintentionally have to make use of the RL ,and particularly it should be in rural areas.

2. Percentage may be varied according to the pre standard of d students. But it should be not more than 10%.

3. Textbooks should not be considered as the only means of teaching foreign language that generally the students and teachers do. If so teaching becomes syllabus and examination oriented. The aim of teaching language as a skill remains ststus quo.

It is most of the times syllabus is so bulky that we have to deal it as syllabus us not as a skill. It becomes vice versa.

At primary and kg level, acquiring Lang skills is set to be the goal of pupils and it is framed in that way. But that is not happening with secondary and higher secondary students. Learning process becomes subject for getting marks instead of acquiring skills in it.

4.That is not apt solution. Teaching is 2 way process. Average students will lag behind if we do so.

5.Let teacher be exposed to represent their short research papers to discuss the issue at state level. Syllabus mostly should be skill, and activity based, should be minimized in size. Beside textbooks, educational magazines, newspapers, story books also be the part of extra-curricular activities, so that they should go beyond the framework of textual English.

Prof. Avinash Beladkar

Yes. 50-50. Cause we think in mothertounge. There should one day in week on which everyone should communicate in English....gradually some topics be given for speeches.....

Prof.Gaddam Shakuntala, Muktainagar

The uses of regional language should be minimized. It is my personal observation if we created English atmosphere in our class at the very beginning, it means when we enter in the classroom, teacher mood should be English his appearance and attitude like English, we may say that it is overthink, in my own class room many students who don't know anything they complete my sentence which is related, so I got an idea, teachers maximum uses of English, then obviously maximum participation of students also. In play group they very beginning uses English and ultimately students without knowing anything response to teacher in English. Regional language should be used seldomly not frequently. We easily say our students are belong to rural area, it is very easy to mould them because they are 100 and 1% obedient, I am against urban but I think so. Myself in my classes I start my class saying good morning everyone and ask them let me know the page number of the text book , students immediately answer me. The same technic I use to teach preparation questions, we can prepare students mind to learn English, while explaining preparation questions. In short we "we" should decide how much and when we can use English language and stop regional. After all students have to bear us.

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 3

Prof.Krunal Sir, Nagpur

1) Yes it is necessary because without it they will not be able to understand.

2) 50/50

3) May be teaching techniques are not good enough.

4) If I use complete English my students won't understand the topic because their base is quite weak

5) We should not have compulsion to complete the syllabus, Ashram school students' base is so weak that they can't read properly so that should be sorted out first, make learning fun there should be more activities like one act play, speech, conversation among students and so on.

Sanju Pardeshi Chembur Mumbai

 Yes we can use mother tongue but not more than 5 to 10 percent. That moderate use of mother tongue. But preference should be given to English only because we are teaching the languge through content. And I belive that more we use English more the students will be able to learn English.

Learning English as a language is one of the tools to improve English. More they use more they learn. As the students have been learning English since Jr KG we must teach them throughout English. English must be taught as a language and not as a subject to pass by getting passing marks.

Prof.Anna Pardeshi

Yes , it's needed, not only for students but also for teacher's satisfaction.

Sometimes telling or explaining everything in English may lead to class control but the whole content would not be grasped by vernacular medium students, hence using regional language is of utmost importance.

Prof.Krunal Sir Nagpur

Right sir according to my experience rural teachers have to use regional language for many purposes such as class control, to explain meaning, to narrate any event other than the topic and so on that's why I said 50/50 use of both languages.

Prof.V R Rahangdale, Ashram School Yerandi Gondia

Though English is introduced from 1st std. the rural students don't get the favourable condition to develop their understanding of English.  To use complete English in teaching is not possible for the English teachers in rural area schools or ashram schools. So bilingual method is more useful. We must try to lessen the use of mother tongue in teaching day by day. Total ban of regional language would be harmful for students' comprehension.

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 5

Prof. Dnyaneshwari Aher

I would like to share my own experience, when I complete B.Ed. course that time I understand it is compulsory to use direct method while teaching English subject that explain the text in English. But when I started teaching English in Jr. college by using that method students were very silent i thought they understand everything but later some students came to me and requested plz explain it in Marathi though I have used very simple English...that time I understand if we used direct method some students can understand but not everyone. Now I used both methods that means I read the line explain it in simple English and then again translate it in regional language

Prof.Sachin Dahotre

I am teaching in rural area.  Majority of the students are very weak in English. They have great fear of the language. So my first challenge is to make them sit in the class and make them come out of the inferiority complex. If I speak in English, they don't understand.   Most of the students don’t know even articles and prepositions and parts of speech. Some students are not even to able to tell the English alphabets without mistake.  It's horrible but true. It is really challenging task to deal with such students.

Prof Sagar Bobade, Amaravati

 So we can keep away the fear of English by only speaking in English... speaking in English. There is not a another way.. While learning in English we should tell meaning of that word also in English.

Prof.Sachin

 To better understand use both languages

Prof Sagar Bobade Sir Amaravati

 While learning in English we should tell meaning of that word also in English

Gurukrupa Yog Classes
 Will we use blue and black pen at the same time for writing paper

Prof Asif Khatik

No regional language should be used. I think so. Because in future students will have to go through English only as per as higher education is concerned. We should implement the activities while teaching

Satish Meratkar, Mehkar

English but simplicity and brevity must be maintained while teaching..,, 10%regional language.

Prof Gitanjali Divekar Nagpur, Adarsh Vidya Mandir jr college

It totally depends on the learning environment of those students.  If students are getting clear picture and then no need to use, but if they are not getting, there is no problem to use the other languages. Percentage ratio should be 80% English 20 % regional or Hindi.

Prof. Vaishali Jane

 1) Use of regional language in the teaching of English at Jr.College level depends upon the intellectual level of students. I think it is sometimes necessary for Marathi medium students and not necessary for convent students. Though direct approach is to be told, our main motto is that our students should understand our teaching and for that we have to apply our own method.

2) 80% ,20%

3) Though it is used from level, still we have to use regional language because a)The most of the students are afraid of English as it is a foreign language.b) Students do not get proper exposure.c) Students shy to speak in English as they fear if they commit mistakes, other students will laugh at them. d) They do not get proper surrounding right from the beginning .e)Their lack of interest in learning etc.

4) I think that if I use complete English in my teaching, my all students won't understand everything.

5) Ways to improve English are as follow

a) To develop listening skill because good listener is a very good learner.

b) To increase vocabulary.

c) To learn grammar because I think that grammar is the soul of language but in new pattern it has been given less weightage.

d) To construct simple and small sentences.

e) To use small sentences while speaking to our friends or any other person

d) To remove fear of this foreign language from their minds. Overall four skills should be developed gradually.

I use both languages while teaching according to the situation and students’ IQ level.

Sachin Dahotre, Satara

 I’m also agree with you

Prof.Rajesh Agrawal

We should use eclectic approach, according to class situation!

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 6

Prof. Sandip M.Patil,Jalana

It is said that something is better than nothing, if you teach through direct method of teaching, that is English to English, few students never understand what u r teaching,as they belong to various educational background, Many educationalist supports that education should be in our mother tongue,so there is no issue of what methods of teaching u adopted Only understanding is the matter as per as the students are concerned So I use regional language up to 20 percent.

Prof.Ghorpade S.B. Dindori Nshik

Regional language is base and core of our education. While learning something every student thinks through his mother tongue. It is necessary that the English teacher should consider his students' background and select such method which is student friendly. Some concepts in English which are unexplainable should be explained with the use of regional words. We live in India, so our students are familiar with regional surrounding. Whatever we teach them should be accessible to them. Word substitution, idioms, collocation, proverbs and some discourses can be discussed using regional language or mother tongue.

Prof.Shevale (Deore) Leena

It is observed that students acquire and grasp the knowledge easily in their mother tongue so I do use 80per.English and 20per. Marathi while teaching the lessons as well as grammar. It makes them easy to understand English better .as our students belong to rural area they can't understand English to English method.so I honestly feel that  80-20 method creats bonding and intimacy between students and their teacher. to improve English we must emphasis on writing skill I.e essay,composition, various kinds of  letter,  expansion of idea, speech etc. these topics enable the students to grasp the language.

Prof. Nalini Manik Lothe Kamla Nehru College, Nagpur

 Using regional language in the teaching of English at junior College level depends on the intellectual level  and the background of the students.

Students coming from  C.B.S.E. can grasp everything in English language but the students coming from rural area and Marathi medium are not capable to understand everything in English. When everything is taught in English, students look at the teachers with blank faces.

So, I think 20% regional language will be used while teaching.

English is taught since primary level, but the regional language is used to express most of the terms and the students get that habit.

It is convenient and effective for 90%the students to express their feelings in their mother tongue. If we use 100% English language in teaching, the students will not understand everything. And if they don't get the basic idea, what is the use of teaching the whole portion? So we should use regional language where it is necessary. Students' faces are the witness of this.

To improve their English, we can give them different exercises on vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, nouns, adjectives, adverbs etc. A list of homophones also can add much to their knowledge along with creating interest among them.

 Prof K L Suryawanshi Lakhani Bhandara

 👍👍

Prof. Neha Sisodiy, Nandurbar

Students from Arts faculty learn their all subjects in Marathi. They're always afraid of English. To make English easy for them we have to use Marathi. It helps to clear their concept about the topic. It also lessen their anxiety about the to the subject. Frankly speaking I myself use 70 % English & 30 % Marathi in my class. To improve students language skills we may give freedom to students to express their view on any topic in English thus it will build confidence among the students & help to develop their spoken skill.

Prof Sandip M Patil Jalana Takli P D

Mam sorry to say, but I object your one of the sentences- ' students from rural area' What do u mean this?

We can't differentiate the talent of the students according to their living places whether urban or rural !

Prof. Nalini Manik Lothe Kamla Nehru College, Nagpur

I mean from Marathi medium where there are no English medium schools at all. In many places, regular classes are not taken as there are no regular teachers. So the base of the students is very much weak to capture the further portion.

I have seen many schools and students as I have visited to many schools from rural areas.

I don’t mean to say that the students' intellectual capacity from rural areas is less. They don't get the proper platform and surrounding sometimes. 😊

Prof Ravi V Deulwar, Chandrapur

 Yes madam i agree with your opinion

Prof. Nalini Manik Lothe Kamla Nehru College, Nagpur

 I’m from rural area. 😊

Prof. Gorakh Bodhke

Even they are not capable of writing in Marathi......How can we expect too much from them.

Prof. Neha Sisodiy, Nandurbar

Though some students are unable to write but they can use  some English words in their daily conversation by continues process of listening

Prof. Gorakh Bodhke

But they are passive to do so ......Showing no interest in doing so intentionally

Prof. Nalini Manik Lothe Kamla Nehru College, Nagpur

Yes true..

Continuous listening of the words in English helps to make them acquainted with the words, phrases and their uses.

So first we should use Marathi to tell the meaning and explain  the concept and later we must use English more.

Prof. C J. Patil

Sorry  sir

The way of preparation of high school students in reputed schools is different from rural schools

Prof Sandip M Patil Jalana Takli P D

That's great, I too, any way take it easy 😊

Prof Sandip M Patil Jalana Takli P D

Sir, my objection was on the word ' rural' not on the 'schools'

Prof T J Patil Madam Municipal Jr Shirpur

 It's necessary to use regional lang if stud.s r from marathi med.

Very 1st its imp to get the overall what is told in the lesson & what writer wants to convey..For imprvmnt of stud.

We may conduct open competition in the class on topics such as speech, interview que.s & debate...or whatever they want to speak.

Prof Mankar Sir Dhamangao Railways

 It's fact that we have to deal English through Marathi or Hindi. Normally, seeing the pulled faces of the students we surrender and go on translating the text word by word. It gives satisfaction to both students and teacher. But, this satisfaction is superficial. Be we are helpless. So, what I do, I begin with Marathi and tell the same in simple English. It doubles our efforts but there is no other go. We are really pressed by time as the present syllabus doesn't allow us much time to take practice for language skills. Without worrying much about completing course in XIth std., we should expose the students more to reading and writing practice with the minimum use of Marathi so that our students will feel at ease when we go thoroughly with English. More exposure to English is a must because ultimately only it will work while solving the activity sheet in the exam hall.

As a matter of fact ours being simple and lucid in English will matter much. Our simple language accompanied with facial expressions and intonation will surely bring dividends.

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 7

 Prof.Smita Bonde

 Good topic for discussion.

1) It depends on the area and level of students.

2) The percentage also depends on the above mentioned factors. If it's 90:10in urban area, its 40:60 or like that in rural area.

3) Though English is introduced from primary level, it's observed that implementation is not proper. Regional language is preferred by teachers.

4) Absolutely sir, students are able to understand everything, if they are properly trained up to 10th.

5) Ways to improve English-

(a) To encourage students to improve vocabulary.

(b)To encourage them to use easy and simple sentences in there day to day lives.

(c) Gift dictionaries on various occasions and to create awareness about use of dictionary.

(d) To create 'English atmosphere' in classroom.

(e) To develop English lab. for 5-12 students.

(f) To develop a corner where students can practice their speeches, drama in English.

(g) It's essential to create liking for language in rural area.

Prof Shivani Pednekar

 l think all the topics bring us back to the heavy syllabus, boring topics, bulky books, tedious tests & exam oriented students.

Anyway my opinion is as follows:

1) I think if students understand our simplified English then there is no need to use regional language. In most of the cases only few are able to understand thoroughly. If we want to give all students the joy of learning ,we should use regional language. Especially rural areas students need use of regional language.

2) The percentage is also depends on the groups & level of the students. It may be 85:15 in urban & 70:30 in rural area approximately.

3) Again the reasons have roots in our age old education system which focuses on only marks and not on ability of a child.

4) Complete use of English may kill their inner instinct to learn the language as they are unable to understand. They may get overall meaning but cannot understand each and every word and meaning between the lines.

5) a) Inspire them to use simple construction, let them speak in the language they use on Facebook & what's app. b) Concentrate on the  development of speaking skill. c) Remove grammar fear from their mind d) Group discussion without presence of a teacher. e) Word puzzles & word games may increase their vocabulary.

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 8

Prof Sampat Kadam Latur

 If you work in science faculty, direct method is suitable. If you work in commerce faculty you need to use regional language occasionally. But if you work in Arts faculty spcially in rural area you often need regional language. It dwpends on our skill how and how much to use it.

Prof P M. Sambare

Not agree, many students opt Arts for competitive exams they don't expect regional language, How can we say science students have no need of regional language, same thing is about commerce, My opinion is  about the average ppl from rural to urban and 35to99 percent marks , After all it depends upon family background, teacher's ability and method of communication

Prof Sampat Kadam, Latur

No matter if you agree or not. It's not a debate. The admin asked to write our ground level experience. You express your opinion.

Prof Zubair Mirza, Urdu Junior College Buldana

 While teaching in urban or rural  area I find translation method is best coz its makes pupil to understand language easily but eclectic method is also good for learners nd our system of education is result  oriented not leaner oriented so better b use translation method instead of useing all other method

Prof Rupali Pathode Nagbhir, Dist-Chandrapur

 I think it depends on the family background, of course, teacher's ability but student's mental ability, their surroundings.  I have to use regional language for my students while teaching. If I don't, it is really very hard for them to understand it.Yes, translation method is good one.     

R S Kagane H J P college Himayatnagar Dist Nanded

I think teach anyway any method (may be art, science and any other faculty) that your students must understand what you teach.

Prof Abed Aziz

 As I'm working at such a place where the students mostly come from rural areas but I made a habit of using more and more English in my session and found and achieve good results..Sometimes we need to use regional language but I consider it as a code mixing..

Prof P M. Sambare

 No objection to use regional language but it makes them to stop to think in English, enhance

Prof Rupali Pathode Nagbhir, Dist-Chandrapur

 Yes, You are correct. But they always expects from us that we should use regional language. But I told them that they should not forget that they have to solve the whole paper in English.

R S Kagane H J P college Himayatnagar Dist Nanded

 Yes absolutely

Prof Panchal Sir, Latur

Understanding is more important. Methods for it is related issues hence one should use the best and convenient to students as well as situation and try to follow guidelines.

Prof. Megha

In a class students r from rural and urban areas I think we have to use Simple English language only and occasionally use regional Lang not all the time..Becoz it's English period we have to create interest in language and definitely students understand our simple language..

Prof. Santosh Shelge, Latur

👍

Prof. Shelake Kishor Arunrao, Pimpalner

Yes madam 👍

Jr. College English Teachers' Group 9

 Prof Dhumal Sir

 It's not the need of students but our teacher thinks that regional language is necessary to teach in the class. Indeed the teachers should enrich their vocabulary to reach the lowest student in the class. Switching to the regional language is not the solution.

Prof.Arvind Mule

 I agree. We should create such environment in our class... No need to use any regional language.. Actually it is a barrier

Prof Dhumal Sir

 Yes. We can take the vary efforts for improving the linguistic ability of the students but the size of the textbook n contents are the main hurdles in the way. Textbook must be enjoyed rather taught.

Prof Subhani KMG Peoples’ College, Nanded

 I feel there is no need to use regional language while teaching students of Science and commerce streams.

Prof Dhumal Sir

For Arts too.

Prof.Dhepe Sir

In my View,,,when teacher teach in the class he/she will teach in English but some concept difficult to understand that time used Marathi or Hindi language,,, i think 10% use regional language, otherwise English

Prof.Patil Sandip Shivdas champavti Jr college Chpaner Tal. Kannad

According to my opinion when the student s Abel to think in English simultaneously with Marathi regional language is definitely used by all.

Prof Amol Kapse, Jr college Ale Junnar Pune

 As per the linguistic research, each language widely spoken all over the world, can be learnt properly by listening.

But tell me whether every pupil is same?

While teaching, the intellectual & emotional level (ability ) must be taken into account rather than Junior or senior college level.

Regional language ought to be used partially to clarify the significant or difficult notions at initial Stage.

Also learning disabled pupils may not figure out the teaching in entire English.

I think Vocabulary enrichment programme through games and activities should be mandatory to improve English.

To conclude everyone should attempt to teach English language rather than English Subject.

Prof Gajanan G. Gaddalwar,Matoshri punakabai vjnt Jr. col Mukutban Tq

Yes we should teach English language rather than English subject and one more important point that it is difficult to learn any foreign language without taking the help of mother tongue because there so many concept in the language which can be understood only by feeling, sensing and thinking in the mother tongue.