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      English as a medium of Instruction
      Submitted by bibhadevi on 19 March, 2010 - 09:15

      Hi all!

      I would like to get your comments on all the aspects which should be considered when introducing English as a medium of instruction at primary level to a batch of students who begin their education in their mother tongue.

      Average: 4.7 (7 votes)

      Comments

      jvl narasimha rao's picture
      jvl narasimha rao
      English medium at the primary level
      Submitted on 21 March, 2010 - 12:29

      Madam, Though I am an english teacher I do not favour english medium at the primary level as it impairs the cognitive development of the children. Whatever strategy or methodology one may adopt one can not make children think in English. It is just mania to impose english medium on the primary children. However, English may be accepted as a subject at the stage.

      yours sincerely,

      JVL NARASIMHA RAO

      bibhadevi's picture
      bibhadevi
      Bridging to English
      Submitted on 29 March, 2010 - 02:01

      Thank you, Sir for your reply. I would like to clarify I am not talking about imposing English as a medium at the very beginning of a child's education. I, personally, do not support this type of imposition as, and you have rightly said, they severly affect the CALP of the child. But, there are some ways of introducing English as a subject (after they develop CALP in their mother tongue) first and then as a medium of instruction at a later stage (may be after few years) once the child acquires the BICS in that language.

      If some community demands English to be taught as a second language to their children in a Multilingual education programme, what would you suggest as the main aspects that one should focus on in dvising such a bridging programme to English?

      Looking forward to your valuable comments!

      Regards,

      Bibha