Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages

Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out. In your opinion is it important for everyone to learn English. Should we try to ensure the survival of local languages and if so how?

Learning English at school is more important than local languages?

Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages

Sample Essay – 

India is a vast country which has 22 official state languages. Our constitution recognises Hindi and English as our country’s official languages. It has hundreds of regional dialects out of which more than half would disappear by 2030.

Our country is the second largest English speaking country. Learning English is often seen as more important than learning local languages. As a consequence, many are at the risk of dying out.

No doubt learning English is important. Speaking English fluently gives you an edge over your competitors. People with good communication skills in English are quickly hired. There’s nothing wrong with learning a foreign language which is also recognised as one of the two national languages by our Constitution. The problem is that we are not proud of our own selves, of who we are. Ever heard a German man speaking English in his country? No! If you want to live there you’ll have to learn the German language or you won’t be able to converse with anyone. And look at us! We are ashamed to our own languages, our own roots.

English is very important, no doubt. Science, maths, social science, all subjects are taught in English. To be able to excel in exams it is important for one to be well versed in English or he would have a tough time understanding the text, simply put. It’s not only our national language along with Hindi but international language also. But in India, the kind of importance English has got, no other language has caught up to that. If you want to strike a conversation with a stranger, speak English. Want to ask for directions or anything, speak English.

India is a multilingual country and speaking /learning more than 2 languages is actually good for our brains.When a public figure addresses the masses he/she either speaks Hindi or English so that the everybody can understand.  The problem is that English is not just a language in India, it’s more like a parameter to judge intelligence. Anybody who is able to converse fluently in English is intelligent and anybody who can’t is no better than an illiterate person.

Learn as many languages as you can. It’s actually good for the brain. But don’t ignore your own language and don’t use some other nation’s language as a parameter to judge somebody’s intelligence.