Abstract

English Education in India: Navigating Relevance, Impact, and Challenges

Praveena Marupakula

Volume: 15 Issue: 1 2025

Abstract:

English education in India has undergone significant transformation, reflecting the changing socio-economic landscape yet continuing to grapple with major challenges in relevance and impact. Historically, education reforms—from Macaulay’s “Minutes of 1835” to the liberalization era—emphasized reading and writing, neglecting spoken language development. This imbalance left many graduates proficient in grammar but unable to communicate effectively, impacting employability and social mobility. The advent of English-medium schools and spoken English institutes marked a paradigm shift, but access remained limited for rural and economically marginalized students, perpetuating disparities in professional opportunities. Despite curricular reforms, evidence—like the Annual School Education Report 2022—shows persistent gaps: up to 38% of 14-year-olds cannot read English sentences fluently, and English phobia hampers engagement, especially among first-generation learners. Activity-based learning, as recommended by the Curriculum Development Centre, emerges as a promising approach to bridge these divides, promoting communicative competence, emotional intelligence, and market readiness. The study calls for urgent revision of curriculum frameworks to emphasize real-world use, listening, and speaking skills, ensuring education aligns with student aspirations and employer expectations. By fostering a learner-centric and relevant educational environment, India’s English education system can empower diverse youth, enhance employability, and support inclusive growth in a globalized era.

Back Download

References

• Albuquerque, U. (2018, August 3). Today's education must sync with tomorrow's jobs. [Article].
• Annual School Education Report. (2022). [Statistical data on English proficiency in India].
• Curriculum Development Centre. (1989). Recommendations on learner-oriented, inquiry-based teaching. University Grants Commission.
• Gates, B. (2015). TED talk on teacher feedback and education improvement. TED Conferences.
• Kelly, C. (2019). Activity-based learning for language teaching. [Educational article].
• Masani, Z. (2018). English or Hinglish – which will India choose? BBC.
• Sabharwal, M., & Rooj, S. (2018, August 3). Assessment and learning in Indian universities. India Today.