Page 24 - ELG1801 Jan Issue 453

COMMENT .

Don’t let politics and popularity

drive decision-making

Amy Lightfoot explains why the British Council has come out against the use of English
as a Medium of Instruction in primary schools in low to middle income countries

ometimes, decisions around language in India teaching through English medium. order to effectively develop as learners, before
education can be fuelled by politics and While the lesson observers praised the any transition to a less familiar medium of
popularity as opposed to the evidence enthusiasm of teachers who often work in instruction. Furthermore, teachers and parents
Sthat shows what is actually best for challenging environments, they noted low levels must be actively involved in the process. This
children’s long term learning and growth. of English ability among teachers in India in requires support from school leadership, home-
This can be dangerous in the longer term. particular, and low levels of English proficiency school links, teachers’ professional development,
Weak educational foundations for individuals among learners in both countries. curricula, textbooks and assessment systems.
may lead to disempowered populations in future Teachers’ skills in helping learners to develop The British Council position and the research
and poor economic growth – both political their own proficiency were low, raising questions evidence suggest a need to develop language
issues in themselves. Children learn best when about how much of the curriculum pupils in education policies to take advantage of
taught in a language they understand. Because multilingual contexts, with teachers celebrating
of this, the growing global trend towards Teaching all subjects the linguistic diversity within their classrooms.
teaching all subjects through English at school These language policies also need to be closely
could form a barrier to learning for young through English at tied to broader educational programming such
people, rather than help them. This in turn can primary school level as curriculum development, teacher education
negatively impact on individual, community and (pre-service and in-service) and assessment.
national-level growth and development. could create a double By drawing on learners’ existing linguistic
This is the basis of the British Council’s skills as a crucial stepping stone towards
position paper on English Medium Instruction learning deficit, proficiency in other languages, teachers can
(EMI), which argues that teaching all subjects hindering both language avoid letting the pursuit of English proficiency
through English at primary school level could eclipse children’s development in other subject
create a double learning deficit, hindering both development and subject areas and literacy in their dominant language.
language development and subject knowledge. The broad benefits of English aptitude to a
In a recent report, a collaboration between knowledge country’s economy and society are well-known,
the Education Development Trust, the British but attempting too much too early is likely to be
Council and The Open University, we explored were able to access. Teachers, pupils, parents detrimental in the longer term.
the principles and practices that impact on the and officials in both countries appreciated the To view the British Council’s position paper,
quality of teaching and learning in the EMI importance of English as a means to better go to: http://bit.ly/2nphI4X.
classroom. Overall, the research team found jobs. It also provides a common language across
that teaching in an unfamiliar language (ie. different regions of their countries and is often Amy Lightfoot has worked in
English) can limit the opportunities for pupils seen as a symbol of status and prestige. the field of English language
to communicate – hindering both linguistic However, it is clear that an early switch to education for 18 years,
development and productive discussion and English medium, as opposed to strengthening including nine in South Asia.
engagement with the subject. the teaching of English as a subject, can be She leads on the academic
In addition to exploring evidence previously problematic in countries where English is not a strategy and quality assurance
gathered on the subject, researchers observed dominant language. Children need to build up of British Council teacher
lessons in multilingual schools in Ghana and a solid foundation in home language literacy in education projects in India.
42 December / January 2018