Place of English in 3 language formula in School Curriculum
When India attained freedom in 1947, a few radicals demanded that the use of English should be restricted to the administration level and educational system but others had a more rational viewpoint and firmly held that English should be detained, its role should be redefined and it should be studied.
In the present day, English has become stronger but it is not yet the Lingua Franca of India as it is a foreign language and not deeply rooted in Indian Soil.
This linguistic tangle has been resolved by accepting the 3-language formula which recommends compulsory studying of 3 languages, including English.
English was earlier introduced in the 5th Std but now is being taught right from the 1st Std.
In English medium schools, English is taught as the 1st language and used as the medium of instruction for all subjects. The 2nd language is Hindi and the 3rd the mother tongue.
In non-English medium schools, the mother tongue is the 1st language and the medium of instruction for all subjects, Hindi is the 2nd and English the 3rd language.
20% of curriculum time is devoted to the teaching-learning of English and it is compulsory to pass English to clear the SSC exam.
In some schools English has been given even more number of clock hours than Maths or Science.
1st language – 6 periods per week
3rd language – 8 to 9 periods per week
Thus a good working knowledge of English has become the general and chief objective at the school level as it is an international language.
