Hi All,
Thanks for your lovely comments from the last post. Read them all, and showed them to the Punjabi uncle too.
Last week, I made a speech at a British Council conference in Delhi, which was attended by several senior policymakers in the area of Indian education. English, and its role in progress, is an issue close to me. The speech I gave there is given below.
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British Council English Language Policy Dialogue
Speech by Chetan Bhagat
19 November 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for inviting me today and giving me a chance to be part of the English Language Policy Dialogue Summit. The spread of English in India is an issue close to me – not only because I write in English, but I know the ability of this language to empower millions of young Indians and giving them access to opportunities in the globalized world.
The desire for English in the country is underestimated. English is not a trend, fad or an upmarket pursuit. English helps me face an interview, read the best academic books available and access the world offered by the Internet. Without English, progress for a middle class youth is heavily stunted. However, the state of English education and the attitude towards it leaves much to be desired.
Let me talk about the state first. There is a tiny minority of English speakers who are extraordinarily fluent in the language, probably more than most Britons. That tiny minority is also millions of people in a country as large as India, and is what will be visible to this group most of the time. These people had parents who spoke English, had access to good English medium schools – typically in big cities, and gained early proficiency, which enabled them to consume English products such as newspapers, books and films, thus increasing command over the language even further. I would say English is so instinctive to them that even some of their thought patterns are in English. These people, the E1s if I may call them, are much in demand. Irrespective of their graduation specialization, they can get a frontline job across various industries – hospitality, airlines, media, banking and marketing companies.
However, apart from the E1s, there are a large number of E2s, probably ten times the E1s, who are technically familiar with the language and even understand it. However, their skill in English communication is not at a professional level. If they sit in an interview conducted by E1s, they will come across as incompetent, even though they may be equally intelligent, creative or hardworking. They cannot comfortably read English newspapers, thus denied of a chance to keep upgrading their command of the language. English films and TV are not enjoyed by them and hence not consumed by them. English books are a non-starter. They know English but they have not been taught in a manner or are not in an environment that facilitates this virtuous cycle of continuous improvement through consumption of English products. Thus, while the difference in English level of an E1 and E2 may not be too different at age 10, by age 20 it is so stark that an E1 can get many jobs while an E2 won’t even be shortlisted. For lack of proper teaching, an entire world is closed to the E2s. After E2s, there are people who don’t have access to English at all. These people need to begin with basic learning. However, today I want you to focus on the E2s, as they are truly an amazing number of youth across the country that just need that extra push to take them to the next level and open opportunities for them.
Is this just a theory? Unfortunately no. I have given over fifty talks in the last eighteen months, at various colleges across the country. Many of these colleges are in smaller towns, places like Hisar, Raipur, Dehradun and Indore, to name a few recent ones. I’ve sat with the management of many of these colleges. I distinctly remember, an MBA college in Indore, which actually even has classes involving reading The Economist. The principal, an IIT graduate told me – “Chetan, my biggest concern, is that my students don’t know how to speak proper English. Sometimes I wonder, should I teach them Finance and Accounts, or should we just take basic English grammar classes. For come interview time, no matter how well they can analyze a company, they will not be comfortable putting a sentence together. What were their schools doing? And why should a postgraduate MBA college be doing this?”
That said, he hired ten teachers for his two hundred students for the sole job of teaching proper, MNC interview-ready English. My own books are simply written. One of the big uses of my books in small town India is that of using it as a tool to learn English. I was invited to a talk in Bastar, a backward area ten hours drive from the nearest airport of Raipur. I asked them who reads Chetan Bhagat in Bastar? They said tribal kids, they use your books to learn English. It shows you the hunger. For my recent book, we did a round of simplification editing, so that the book is more accessible to Indians. Of course, critics in India hate me for it. But that’s what critics do anyway, and if I am getting a chance to aid transforming a young person’s life, I am not going to pass up on that.
There is plenty of opportunity for BC here as well. There are sixty MBA colleges in Indore alone. There are a hundred and seventy five in the Delhi and NCR. A British Council program, to lift the E2s to E1s, not just teaching the ABCs will go a long way and the private MBA colleges will sign up for it in a heartbeat.
I talked about the state of English. I also talk about the second hindrance – the attitude to English. There are two kinds of attitudes again – there is of course some snobbery, something that comes with all things English. A section of people believe that English should be a high-class affair. Elitism and English are linked, and that has to be broken. I’ve tried to do that through my books, but have had to face a lot of heat because of it. You will too, especially if you do non-trendy activities like going out of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Programs will be harder to organize, and media coverage more difficult to get. However, that is where the action is. I don’t want to see British Council in the big cities. My wish is for British Council to percolate down to Tier II cities and towns, so that you can really make transformation happen. I know you are making change happen, and where ever you have touched local people, there has been a difference. Just do more of it. This is not Europe, where the British Council’s job is to spread English culture. No, you are not just spreading culture, you are transforming lives and changing them forever. And that’s way bigger than sponsoring Shakespeare’s plays. Push for grants, and people at the top, grant them.
The second attitude that causes difficulties is when English is seen as a threat to Hindi, or other local languages. I don’t think it is a threat at all. But that has to be communicated with sensitivity, and quite frankly going a little bit beyond the call of duty. Hindi and the local languages are neglected very badly in the country in terms of institutional support. There is no British Council equivalent to support them. When you go to a new place, you have to show you care for the people first, and care about English later. I am an English writer. However, the first newspaper column I started doing was in the biggest Hindi newspaper, and now I do it in an English newspaper as well. I was advised against it, as my image could take a beating. However, to reach my people and change their lives was far more important than my illusory image. The Hindi column started, it had a terrific response and the English newspapers automatically followed, and now I have a column with the Times of India as well. No harm to image. Similarly, British Council can help Hindi too. Who says you cannot? If you support Hindi, you will get a buy in from the cultural community in your cities. Don’t do debate competitions in English only, do them in Hindi as well. I’d say go as far as to have a Hindi cell. You know you are going to be in India, and to make a real difference, you need to be in touch with the Hindi speakers as well.
That’s all I have for now. I may have given too many suggestions, but I wanted to be specific and actionable in what I talk to you about. This is only because I really respect your organization, and if I may say it, treat it as my own. You guys are passionate, and get things done. And maybe that is why I feel you guys have it in you to make English reach across the country, and do what only this language can do in the world – make a difference.
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Aftereffect: Post the speech, several policymakers came up to me on their own. This included people from the NCERT, SCERTs and Education Department staff from Indian universities. They’ve invited me to come and give ideas on how our current teaching methods can be modified and updated to reflect modern times. I told them I will only come if people are open-minded and will be committed to change. Most agreed, and in the coming months, I will be sitting down with them to see what can be done. It will still be challenging given the rigid Indian system, but a start has to be made somewhere.
Love and Regards,
Chetan
PS: As always, your feedback is most welcome. Do let me know your thoughts. Will pass on any good suggestions to policymakers as well.
Very aptly put breakdown of the state of english in India. I really hope your meetings with the educational depts across, come to policy changing conclusions.
I understand how people often associate the E 1’s with a ‘nose-held-high’ behaviour … its actually kinda bothering.. when i migrated to india, my friends at school would say, “Angrez chale gaye, isra ko yaheen chod k gaye..”..
Thanks for the nice speech chetan. I too faced the same. I was an E3(couldn’t even speak english properly), no i came to E2 and i am improving. Always there are people part of E1’s, we got an ego while speaking infront of E1’s, E1’s also vl feel proud or criticise when we tries to speak.
To be frank, now i am not afraid of speaking. I will speak it up in any crowd. whether it’s of right british or american, It matters only to me that person i am speaking to understands me or not.
I do not bother about E1’s any more or don’t mind to speak infront of E1’s..
All that matters is I know who I am and i know my capability.
You should attend the different colleges who have invited you for a session. Please give a push for people like me, who are yet to come forward. I am sure in INDIA every one want to speak ENGLISH and understand ENGLISH..
Good Dayy.. Thanks Again for the nice speech..
Well written. In India regrettably the state of English and general education is in a sorry state in India. We just lack a vision and coherent policy. There are thousands of boards who prescribe different sets of standards and policies to make the things more complex.
We are yet to know the benefit of English language. Here any Tom Dick and Harry is becoming an English Teacher and the sorry state just starts from the primary level. It is for this reason the IIT graduate was complaining you about the inability of his students to speak in proper English.
India resides in in its villages and we are as a nation yet to take care of that vast chunk of population that you call E2. The E2 is but a victim of our faulty education system. Frankly, speaking i belong to the E2 location but level certainly dont think below than E1.
Your novels are written in plain English and it is a good news that people are using those to learn English in remote and inaccessible Bastar. But sadly, I would like to categorize those states where patronization is nil as E3 and you know those states.
Call center, Five points and Two states are but stories of E1. Now i want to read something about the E2 or E3.
Very well said that we lack a British council type of Organization to promote our languages. India will have to set a vision and remove the diversities of policies and programs. Meet Kapil Sibbal he seems to have a vision i think, but due to political constraints he is not coming forward, pushing his educational reforms. And there everything lies, yes a political will, a resolve to do something substantial. it is back to square one, the politics.
Anyway, thanks you are being called by planners.
Chetan, your passion for the subject is transparent. It is evident that you are using your writing to engender change for the better and not merely to flaunt your prowess over the language.
The fact that you are moving around to the interiors and meeting people to get to know their issues first hand is commendable.
Thanks for sharing this speech. I am encouraged by the response you are getting from the various government bodies. That is a good start.
Can you not use the Times of India ‘Teach India’ movement to take this forward.
There are two issues then : Literacy & English literacy. TCS has been doing some good work in AP. WIPRO has been doing some innovative work through the Azim Premji foundation. I am mentioning these so that your move gets more instant support.
All the best.
What can we do to help?
Sridhar
It is heartening to see that you taking so much interest in Indian education system. I was even not aware of the reach of your books to small towns. Kudos!
true.. english is still considered elitist by many people in india.. eng is only way india can compete with countries like us,uk,china..we respect our mother languages but that should not come into our progress..we should consider eng as our own lang
otherwise countries like china will continue to go ahead of us…
Can we use Good old American tv?..
People who come to BITS ( who are normally E2) become E1 by watching friends,house md and so on… I think people in IITs go thru the same thing.. As far as schools are concerned , nothing works better than cartoons!
Hi Chetan,
I completely agree with your speech and furhter more i can suggest, if each individual will take the responsibilities of putting some effort in improving english communication in their local area then it will really help(Especially in smaller town).I am saying this because i can see that currently in india, at least one member of E3 are well educated and can really put some effort in making this issue a dream come true.It just take 30 min from his busy schedule to make at least 30 people equivalent to a dude in US.
I m writting this because i m more concern about the people stay in small town and are really as competative as a big city dude.
MORE SUGGESTION ARE ALWAYS WELCOME…WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY….AND DO KEEP POSTING YOUR SPEECHES, IT REALLY MAKES DIFFERENCE…
Regards,
HALDAR
Hi chetan,
Its a great speech,I loved the fact that you took an MBA attitude to give actionables along with ideas.
I do think we need to make an effort to spread the regional languages first even better than Hindi.. cause till we have an answer to parties MNS,BSP,SP .. they will continue to hinder any good work.. May be we should tackle them first..
And i Agree with one of the commenst here.. you should start this on a large scale. all of us will pitch in
Languages are merely medium of expressing ideas, opinion & thoughts. Overall development is only possible by connectivity of all resources & well communicated ideas, strategy or thoughts etc.
I would say you are not only a writer you are a reformer, way to go.
Well, I totally agree that English is needed to know the bigger world outside, having said that the English speaking crowd in mostly from the upper crest of the society, the elites (South Bombay, South Bangalore(Indira Nagar, Koramangala, BTM Layout, Jayanagar types) they have a bad habit of looking down upon the people who do not speak English well(the English (especially CBSE, ICSE, school types) medium school kids’ and their parents’ actually call the state syllabus schools as “the school where my servant’s kids study” imagine what they would call the vernacular schools. These are the people who cause serious harm to the society by their mean mindedness, that apart if India has to progress, we need English, simply because we don’t have good stuff to read and expand our knowledge in Indian languages now don’t start there is Premchand in Hindi, Kuvempu in Kannada, etc. I am not talking about literature, but for good solid technical stuff for Engineering, Management, Philosophy, Psychology, etc. And all the B school graduates it is better if you guys know at least 2 other Indian languages apart from Hindi and your mother tongue. To get into a B school, to pass out of it to be placed also u need English but to work at ground level on the shop floor beside the racks of your retail store you do need Kannada, Punjabi, Assami, Oriya only. So both of them go together, eg: Krish of 2 states was found wanting when he could not talk to a Tamilian Aunty in Chennai in Citi (Well, if he spoke Tamil maybe it would have still more easier to con that aunty, jokes apart.) So people get up and take notice India is a special country our States are still more special each has its own way of working, culture, idiosyncrasies, there is no one size fit all solution, it is a lot of hard work to provide solutions for people here. If I can do any little bit of help for the people of my India, please let me know. Thank you Ashwin Kumar
hi..good to hear your speech. good suggestions forwarded.. but why not like many European countries (e.g. francs, Germany, even our neighbour china) we can develop by developing Hindi.
Hi Chetan,
It is great that you post your speech here. Its true that there exist two categories of English speakers E1 & E2, and I have noticed many times that E1s have slight advantage over E2s at work. Most of the people who are technically sound, fail to project their strength and are reluctant to ask questions, while a minority take away the credit just because of their communication skills.
Wish you all success in your future ventures.
Waiting for your new book, as I have read all the four.
Joji
“English is not a trend, fad or an upmarket pursuit.” – I have been trying hard to convey that point amongst my friends & acquaintances .This society refuses to accept it. I would really appreciate if you write more emphasizing on the same.
Also, I respect you for the fact that the welfare of this country is more important to you than an “illusionary image” unlike most of our celebrities.
Regards
Mohita Bajpai
Nice speech Mr. Chetan. You showed the perfect situation of English Speakers in India. I agree with your speech and I can suggest is 95% of people are not an IITian and IIM’s. For other common people it’s very difficult to get an E1 environment. They are even get teased because of their accent, pronunciation and grammar mistakes too. Unless E2 people start speaking in front of E1, they won’t become one E1.
And now you gave your hands by books to E2 & E3 speakers in India. Keep posting your speech. Nice to read from your own voice and style
Thanks Chetan
Regards,
Suresh (still an E2)
Hi,
I really agree with you,because i and my friend are real life examples for your theory,though he got a very good grades in the graduation and has a very good technical knowledge….but he being bought up in near a small town near chennai and i in chennai got placed in a good company and earning more then him…though i felt lucky but deep inside me i was felling guilty because he helped me a lot during examinations…but today i really came to know the correct reason why he could not make it…and i really like your English forget about the critics…it is good at least after you talk to those guys their wont be two friends like us in the future…
Take Care
Cheers
Dear Chetan,
Nice post… True that there are two categories of Indians as far as English speaking population goes… The E2s are smart and equally intelligent but cannot speak proper English because of the lack of proper training during their education. These people also have some sort of inhibition… maybe because of fear of embarrassment or lack of company to speak and practice with.
Here, I feel we have needs for three things:
- A very E2 centric grammar course… not the usual Wren & Martins of the world… something which can be easily understood by the masses and something which stresses on how to speak rather than understanding the differences between an interjection & a conjunction.
- Literature like yours which will help in developing interests on the subject.
- A society which encourages people to ’speak English’ up.
BTW, I am big fan of your books… Loved 2 States… Gr8 work and keep it up.
Cheers,
Partha
Hi Chetan,
It’s a great speech, communicating in english is a topic very close to me as i myself have face and still facing many problems at my workplace simply because i am not able to communicate my ideas.
I think it’s time to focus on this subject from the grassroot level starting from schools and we have to focus on small cities.
Thanks and keep posting.
Amit
Hi…
Firstly i would like to proclaim that reading your books has been a breath of fresh air..your simple usage of prose and english vocabulary makes the stories come alive
In terms of english we as a country are way ahead of others when it comes to general communication. However,there is a serious lacunae when it comes to business and other career related english knowledge.
I would like to start at the beginning…schools,elementary,prep,middle school,high school..these formative years are very crucial..i would attribute my own comfort and ease with english to good reading habits rather than my time spent at an english medium school..
In our school it was compulsory to speak to each other in english..but this seldom worked..yet reading fairy tales or even asterix,tintin,archie comics proved to be better english learning tools in middle and high school…
i would say the major difference between E1 and E2 groups as you have also pointed out is lack of good reading habits..
Its never too late to start reading but then again the benefits are not the same
Schools should encourage
- Reading ( Books,comics,newspapers..anything in english better avoid chacha chaudhary etc..read them in hindi if possible)
- Should encourage synopsis writing even if its for a newspaper article
Also with the dawn of the internet age its also the age of copy and paste…so teachers have to be more wary and focus on printed matter more..
Regards/Prem
from Bangkok