Addressing the Challenges of English Teaching at Secondary Level Bengali Medium Schools

Abstract

English is becoming an increasingly important communication language. In terms of language learning, children in Indian government schools acquire English as a second language in addition to their mother tongue. The issues teachers encounter when teaching English as a second language are the subject of the research conducted in West Bengal. In this instance, the survey was conducted among West Bengali government school students who speak Bengali. This study’s main goal is to pinpoint the issues English language instructors encounter when instructing Bengali-speaking pupils. A questionnaire was used to collect data for this investigation. According to research, the most common barriers to English learning include students’ fear of speaking English, overwhelming impact of their mother tongue, a lack of confidence, and curricular constraints. In most situations, students are unable to practise English because their social and cultural backgrounds, as well as their home environment, are unsuitable for utilising the English language, causing them to lose interest in learning English. This study recommends modifying the curriculum to allow kids to read with pleasure and utilising technology to teach English through peer groups and narrative. According to the study, when teachers treat students like friends and help them use the language, students find it more acceptable and their anxiety levels decrease. It also shows that language labs and audio-visual instruction greatly improve students’ comprehension in rural schools.