RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS SECOND LANGUAGE IN INDIAN SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Abstract

We are aware of the importance of a window in our living rooms, a window enables us to have a view of
the outside world. The study of English by Indians serves the purpose of a window. Through this window we can see
what is happening in other parts of the world. The study of English helps us to know the progress being made by the
world in different areas of life. F.G. French observed, “A traveller who can speak English will find somebody who can
understand him wherever he may go: anyone who can read English can keep in touch with the whole world without
leaving his own house”. Modern technology has enabled us to remain informed about the advancement taking place
throughout the world. It may be in the field of science, technology, machine or any human activity we come to know
about it, it through this language. Our country cannot afford to close the window of English language. In the words of
Pt. Nehru,” All regional languages must be developed and promoted. But that didnot mean that English should be
discarded. To do that would amount to closing a window on the world of technology. It was no use getting into an
intellectual prison after achieving political independence”. So according to Pt. Nehru, English is our major window on
the modern world. It is only through this language that we have distilled essence of modern knowledge in all fields of
human activity