“Teaching of English: A Plea for Practical Attitude” – R.K.Singh #ELT #SEMESTER3 #MKBU

1. Teaching of English: A Plea for
Practical Attitude – R.K.Singh
Prepared by
Vaidehi Hariyani
(Research Scholar)
Department of English,MKBU
#ELT #Semester3

2. • In this research paper R.K.Singh highlights importance of English as a
potential national resource in India and how a positive approach
should be adopted in teaching as well as learning English language.
• The title itself suggests an urgent request to adopt a positive and
practical attitude towards teaching English in India

3. Role of English Language in India
• According to him, rather than going in discussion about English as
Second Language or Foreign Language, English should be accepted as
a ‘Neutral Language’ in India. As it is widely preferred medium of all
transactions and communication, English should have a separate
identity.

4. Aims of Teaching English
• 1.)Encourage a teaching programme that is responsive to their
specific needs.
• 2.) Pursue such teaching activities from which pupils know they are
learning something useful.
• 3.)Adopt a flexible learning approach.

5. Points that should be kept in mind
• 1.)Awareness of learner’s ability and level.
• 2.)Involve presenting and practising of language which help student in
his real life.
• 3.)Make them aware of Socio-linguistic context.
• 4.)Give opportunities to use Language.
• 5.)Motivate learners.
• 6.)Keep in mind various approaches rather than a specific method, as
approach is flexible and method is rigid.

6. • He further also writes about learner’s responsibility. Their attitude should
be positive for their learning and make it enjoyable and useful. Even a
teacher should not judge the learner from his mistakes. Teacher should sit
back and rethink of his methods and remember how he/she used to learn
Language in their school or college time.
• Thus, R.K.Singh sees English as an opportunity for the teachers and
learners to grab it and make it useful.
• He concludes his paper with a question we should ask to ourselves:
• “WHAT to teach to WHOM and Why?????”