International Research Journal of Social Sciences_____________________________________ ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci. International Science Congress Association 30 Review Paper English Language is a link language in Social Strata: A Critical Review Ms. Neelam Institute of Technology and Management, Aligarh, UP, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in Received 12th April 2013, revised 22nd April 2013, accepted 4th May 2013 Abstract This paper is based on” English language is a link language in social strata: A critical Review” the author is of the opinion that English gives us glimpses of the various developments taking place in the world. It provides us distilled essence of modern knowledge in all fields of human activity. It is true to say that English has become one of the major languages of the world, and Indians can neglect its study at their own risk. It is through English that we have shared the wisdom of the west and the west has shared with us our intellectual and spiritual heritage. As we see that how English become a link language in India we just want to throw light on the condition of English before independence to the present days. It is a rich store house of knowledge. There is hardly anything important in the world that has not been translated into English. The paper argues that language learning is one of the most important components of a good education. If we focused on present situation is given as an example of the universal need for language skills. Not least, it is emphasized that the world has changed dramatically as a result of improved telecommunications, rapid transport and the increasing movement of people around the globe as a result of migration and tourism. International treaties and education policies are cited that endorse the importance of language learning. English is of particular importance as the dominant international language. Keywords: English language, language learning, link language, importance of english, english as a window on the world, language telecommunication. Introduction In the words of Bloch and Trager, A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which a social group operates. In this era of globalization and Information and Technology, English has a special and predominant role in the communicative sphere of the world. This language is present taught everywhere in the world. This language enjoys most prestigious reputation in the world. It has a special identity in the field of education. We know it very well that teaching of any subject is a social and cultural activity. First of all we should know how English is a link language? In my opinion a link language is one by which a man, belong to any social, national and international strata to express himself in a better way. Now if we see in modern scenario English has become such a language which is used to give expressions to thoughts and feelings of a social group not only in India, but also in this planet. In other words, English has become indispensable for us. It works as link among all people of the world and creates among them a feeling of “universal brotherhood”. As we are observing in post modern era the need of English language is becoming mandatory in every sphere of life but there is one another problem is arising that the standard of teaching English is degrading day to day so the students are losing their interest of studying English as a subject and due to this they have to face problems in communication. “In teaching of English” P. Gurrey writes, “It is highly desirable to know exactly what one is hoping to achieve. If this can be clearly seen, then the best way of getting to work usually becomes evident. We ought, therefore, to consider carefully what we are trying to do when we are teaching English”. Place of English in India The place of English in school education has been a subject of debate ever since independence. But after independence, in 1963, the parliament passed a bill declaring English as the associate official language of India till an indefinite period of time. This is the position till today. English plays an important role in India today. Judging from certain trends it appears that the influence of English is on the increase rather than on the decrease in India. Language is a medium to communicate. In India, several languages are used, English being one of them. English has got a significant place in Indian society. It is the language of the elite class. Generally, English is used in official communication in the country. It is the language of research and advancement. It is the language of computer and Internet. It is therefore, that English has been retained as Associate National Language . In India a child starts his/her education in English medium. It is a view among the citizens that a child’s bright future lays in good knowledge of English. All the standard texts and study materials are available in English. An English speaking person is regarded International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 31 as a scholar and an intelligent person. There are several institutions where subjects are taught only in English. The importance of English is increasing day by day. English readership is increasing. It shows aptitude for English knowledge. People prefer English to other languages. It is accepted as an international language. It is seen as a symbol of elegance and smartness. English speaking is a sign of status. It adds to the personality of a person. Its place in India is momentous. Need and Importance of English as a language in Modern Scenario English is not only important in getting a better job, it is everywhere in social interaction. If you can’t speak it then you are nothing and you feel humiliated if you can’t speak English. People think you are dumb. Seeing its importance C.Rajagopalachari once said, “English language is the gift of Saraswati.” English is becoming popular every day. There is a craze for English in Indian society. In this age of Information Technology one cannot think of making progress without the knowledge of English. There is an awakening in society towards the learning of English. Our government too has awakened to the importance of English in education curricula. English has been introduced in syllabi right from the early stage. More and more institutions have been opened in for English teaching and learning. English medium schools are thriving even in backward parts of the country. They aired exploiting this rising popularity of English. They are making good money. Today, even a low income family seeks to educate its children in an English medium school. We cannot think of success at the cost of ignoring English. The key to success lies in English learning. Even at higher level English is the mode of instruction. English is the proper way of the research and technology. All the research and studies are done in English. Whether it is defense, aviation, airlines, research and technology, institutions of higher studies or foreign affairs, the medium of learning and instruction is English. The importance of English can be considered under these major heads which are given below: i. English as an International language. ii. English as a window of the world. iii. English as a library language. iv. English as a link language. v. English as a language of comprehension. vi. English as a second language in India. English as an International language: The rise and place of English in India has been discussed in several key writings Kachru, Mishra, Trivedi, Viswanathan, And it is not the aim of this article to go over this ground to any great extent. Rather, my aim is to interrogate narrative accounts of the place and role of English in a globalizing and economically liberalizing India. Language is an unquestionable prerequisite for human communication. The apparent dominance of English as the international language is discussed in some detail. The paper’s principal focus is to examine cross-national attitudes about English as theinternational language of non-English language speaking peoples and of peoples who speak English only as a foreign language. Extensive empirical findings about these attitudes are examined in an effort to predict the future direction of the spread of English as international language . The importance of English as an international language can be judged from the fact that there is no country in the world where a speaker of English cannot be understood. It is the first language in U.K., U.S.A., Canada and Australia . Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary. Apart from these languages, Hindi is used for communication in India. The homeland of Hindi is mainly in the north of India, but it is spoken and widely understood in all urban centers of India. In the southern states of India, where people speak many different languages that are not much related to Hindi, there is more resistance to Hindi, which has allowed English to remain a lingua franca to a greater degree . It is the language which is spoken by most of the peoples in the world next to the Chinese. But there is one important difference the speakers of English are spread all over the world, but the speakers of the Chinese language are confined to the Chinese subcontinent only. English is the language of international politics. It is one of the six official languages of the U.N.O. It is also the link language of the commonwealth. It is not only a link language or an international language rather it is the language of cultural give and take. Focusing on its cultural importance once Gandhi said, “English is a language of international commerce; it is the language of diplomacy and it contains many a rich treasure; it gives us an introduction to western thoughts and culture”. English as a window on the world: Jawaharlal Lal Nehru said, “English is our major window on the world”. This means English gives us glimpses of the various developments taking place in the world. It provides us distilled essence of modern knowledge in all fields of human activity. It is the pipe line for the stream of knowledge . Frankly speaking, it is highly essential to know the language for communication. In general, the most popular language is English. In this computer age, English is the only language that anyone can understand. So to say, it has become as an ideal language for expressing our feelings. First, we have to learn the language and then we have to gain fluency in the language. Unless we have the fluency in English language, it would not be possible to work with the computer. If you do not know English, then you would be in need of a translator to do the job. As we know that Window is a security system for all, either for a house or for a computer. An open window cannot solve the purpose rather a window with zigzag grills is more safe and useful for a house. In spite of the intricacies of grammar i.e. Zigzag grills English has gained tremendous importance in the education system and economy .English has become a truly universal language "a window on the world" 10. "We cannot forget that English is our window to the world andits use cannot be avoided. Even countries like China and Japan are now taking to English in a big way." Not only was English the language of technology, but it was also a tool of communication. By encouraging children to learn International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 32 English as a second language early on, we are setting them up for a number of advantages that will carry out through the rest of their lives. The observation of the Radhakrishnan University Education Commission in this regard is pertinent. It is a language which is rich in literature- humanistic, scientific and technical term. If under sentimental urges we should give up English, we would cut ourselves off from the living stream of ever growing knowledge . English is the only means of preventing our isolation from the world and we will act unwisely if we allow ourselves to be enveloped in the folds of a dark curtain of ignorance. Its effects would be disastrous for our political life, for living nations must move with the times and must respond quickly to the challenges of their surroundings. Our students who are undergoing training at schools, which will admit them, either to university or to vocation must acquire sufficient mastery of English to give them access to the treasures of knowledge, and in the universities no students to be allowed to take a degree who does not acquire the ability to read with facility and understanding works of English authors. It is rightly remarked by Jawaharlal Lal Nehru, “All regional languages must be developed and promoted but that did not mean that English should be discarded. To do that will amount to closing a window on the world of technology. Foreign languages served as window on it and to suppose that translations could take their place was a mistake. It was no use getting into an intellectual prison after achieving political independence 1”. English as a library language: English is a rich store house of knowledge. There is hardly anything important in the world that has not been translated in English. Rightly it has been said, “Whatever the future of English may bein India, one thing is certain. In India, as in other countries, English will maintain- quite probably increase- its immense usefulness as a library language.” In this capacity, it is to serve as a key to the storehouse of knowledge not yet available in the Indian languages. The continued use of English language is desirable as it is the only language “though which maximum knowledge can be imparted to students.” Much of world’s richest literature (50% according to the latest United Nations publication) in all branches of knowledge is found in this language. Most original publications are in English while others are translations of important publications in other languages. It is the English press that reports all events of national and international sooner than before. This language has enriched even our own vernaculars .Prof. Gokak has rightly observed that “It was in the English class-room that the Indian literary renaissance was born.” It is, henceforth desirable for our people to have sufficient command over English11. To quote from the report of Kothari Education Commission: “In fact, English, as an important ‘library language’ would play a vital role in higher education. No student should be considered as qualified for a degree, in particular, a Master’s degree, unless he has acquired a reasonable proficiency in English.” Referring to the great deal of confusion and emotional thinking Prof. Ish Kumar has pointed out: “So long as it is necessary not only to understand and speak, but also to read and write correct English to get a job, nothing can be done in schools and colleges. English will remain supreme. And the pity of it is that the job is just selling postage stamps or drafting an ordinary letter, which can be better done in our own language1”. English as a link language: As above we have discussed that the place of English in India has been a matter of controversy since Independence. But English as a link language has served two extreme views. There are those who advocate that English is indispensable and should be given supreme importance to keep the country abreast of the latest developments in science and technology. There are others who in their nationalistic zeal want a complete switch- over to Hindi and a Ban on the use of English in any field . English acts as the link-language, because it is easier to find people in every part of country, who know English. Therefore, a north Indian traveling in the South can communicate with them, if he knows English. The same cannot be done in Hindi. The experience of replacing English with the regional language as the medium of instruction of the university level has proved extremely harmful. The regional languages are not fully developed. Moreover books in different subjects are not available in regional languages. This makes the task of teaching in the regional language very difficult12. As we see that how English become a link language in India we just want to throw light on the condition of English before independence to the present days. The history of English in India goes back to pre-independence days when this country was ruled by the Britishers. At this time, this language enjoyed a royal place, or a place of importance. i. It was the official language of courts and administration. ii. It was the medium of education in colleges. iii. It was the medium of examination. iv. It was a compulsory subject After independence drastic changes come regarding the place of English in India. Since it was a language of colonist who exercised atrocities over Indians, the first reaction was to dethrone English from its exalted position. As a consequence i. Hindi in Devnagri script was declared as an official language by the constitution of India. ii. English did not remain the medium of instruction. iii. Dialects become the medium of examination. English was not more a compulsory subject. But soon the phase of dethroning English was over, it is soon realized that English is a language of masses. English has become part and parcel of our life. It is used in every walk of life. From a lower to higher society English is spoken, or is a medium of effective communication. If we talk about lower class, suppose you had a maid-servant in your house she does not know how tocommunicate in English but still she pronounced such words as, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, bed sheet, jeans, shirt etc. in English. There are many words we use in social life as newspaper, thanks, welcome, health, student, wife, husband, class, teacher etc. No doubt English is a language of aristocrats but even now it becomes a language of illiterate or a rustic people. Wherever we go see English is penetrating in our blood and mind. Our India is a land of great diversity. Here Hindi, International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 33 Tamil, Bengali, Telgu, Marathi, Punjabi, Urdu, and so many languages spoken. But how many people sitting here can speak Bengali, Telgu or Marathi etc.? Even we cannot understand two or three words of these languages. But every Bengali, every Tamilian, every Telgu speaker, every Punjabi knower can speak and even understand English. This is the reality that English is accepted by all. Today we find youngsters most of the time used so many English words in their daily conversation either they know the exact use or meaning of those words. Today we see many schools even in rural areas having computer and internet facilities. Young children are encouraged to go to search out more topics by which they become perfect. According to Oxford English Dictionary, it is said that “one out of four people worldwide “speak English “with some degree of competence”. Sadly with all the expenditure and expertise expended on the teaching as link language we find that every few of those who have even obtained good results at the written examination have no confidence of the speaking this language. She/he can read English but cannot speak the language. English becomes a link language in India due to many reasons: i. English has helped tremendously to modernize India English language which united India administratively. ii. The use of English in India has been very smooth and its working importance is attested by the fact that our constitution and our laws are written in English. Its wide use in the public sector, the private sector, and central government also reveals its growth. iii. English is an important international language and is of great importance for India in international meets. iv. In a country like India where there are so many cultures and languages is used, English which is already widely prevalent can come in handy for fostering national integration. v. The presence of English as a universal language assumes importance in the fact that more people leave their countries not only for the sake of business and pleaser, but also for studying. Education has increased the role of English in India. People go to another country to study can only have their medium of study. vi. World is making rapid strides in sphere of Science and Technology. Countries which can assimilate this ever growing fund of knowledge can survive and prosper. Therefore, we cannot abandon English and thus cut our lifeline with main-stream, with developments in science and technology. English as a language of comprehension: The remarks of the official language commission (1956) in this regard worth quoting,” since we need knowledge of English for different purposes, the content and character of that knowledge as well as imparting the method it have to undergo a change. English has to be taught hereafter, principally as a language of comprehension rather than as literary language 1”. There has been a good deal of thinking on the teaching of English after independence. One of the ideas is that English language and English Literature should be considered as two separate entities. Surely, we don’t want all our students to read English Literature which is meant for those who have a special aptitude for it. A majority of our students need only a working on functional knowledge of English they have also to converse in English and to write correct English. The requirement of knowledge for comprehending English is mainly a matter of understanding the basic grammar and structure of language and thereafter, principally a question of widening the vocabulary in the desired direction. “Once teachers understand what is involved in comprehending and how the factors of reader, text, and context interact to create meaning, they can more easily teach their students to be effective comprehenders”. But in this paper as we mentioned that English as a language of comprehension so firstly we should know that, what is comprehension? , What is the use of comprehension? And, how it is useful to learn English language?Comprehension is a complex process that has been understood and explained in a number of ways. The RAND Reading Study Group stated that comprehension is “the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning through interaction and involvement with written language” A common definition for teachers might be that comprehension is a process in which readers construct meaning by interacting with text through the combination of prior knowledge and previous experience, information in the text, and the stance the reader takes in relationship to the text. As these different definitions demonstrate, there are many interpretations of what it means to comprehend text. The conceptualization of comprehension as a problem-solving process has guided much of the instructional research on the topic during the past 30 years. This research has provided us with a clearer vision of how best to help children acquire and use the strategies and skills that foster good comprehension13. In order to understand the problem being considered in this article, it is of primary importance to know what are the capacities concerned during a learning process of a foreign language. We point out that the capacities in learning a language represent the various mental operations that have to be done by a listener, a reader, or a writer in an unconscious way, for example: to locate, discriminate or process the data. One distinguishes in the analytical diagram, basic capacities which correspond to linguistic activities and competence in communication that involve more complex capacities14. The use of a language is based on four skills. Two of these skills are from comprehension domain. These are oral and written comprehension. The last two concern the oral and written expression. A methodology can give the priority to one or two of these competences or it can aim. So, it is evident from the analysis of the data that comprehension skills are more important than productive skills. It is also true that only when we comprehend well, we can produce meaningful output. Since the rapid spread of English as a global language gives rise to varieties of English as it is used by people with different first languages, it is the demand of the time to make the students aware of these varieties by enabling to listen to and read a lot of English from different parts of the world15. English as a second language in India: Every educational system has certain objectives which aim at bringing about desirable changes in pupil. In order to bring about those changes, the institutions arrange learning experience. The success of learning can be judged only in terms of the changes International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 34 brought about by this experience. This is a learning experience and evaluation. Thanks to the globalization in all the fields, it necessitates the learning of a language which is international. Undoubtedly, English has become a world language rather than the language of only the English speaking countries such as the UK and the USA because the number of the people who use English as a means of communication exceeds much more than the number of the people who speak it as their mother tongue. In the case of English in India, more than two centuries, India has been directly and indirectly had influence of the language, English on all the fields, such as Education, Medical Science, etc. Text materials relating to the subjects of Science, Engineering and Technology as also Medicine are available only in English. Moreover, all over India, there is no single language to unite the whole country. Since, in India, several languages are spoken and also one set of people are reluctant to learn one common Indian language, we have to borrow a new non-Indian language. Considering the above facts, learning English, the universal language, as a Second Language, becomes inseparable branch as also unavoidable in Indian education system12. What is the need of teaching English as a second language? For improving language skills it is essential that English should be taught as a second language with these skills that are given below: i. Reading - the ability to comprehend and interpret text at the age and grade appropriate level. ii. Listening -the ability to understand the language of the teacher and instruction, comprehend and extract information, and follow the instructional discourse through which teachers provide information. iii. Writing - the ability to produce written text with content and format fulfilling classroom assignments at the age and grade-appropriate level. iv. Speaking - the ability to use oral language appropriately and effectively in learning activities (such as peer tutoring, collaborative learning activities, and question/answer sessions) within the classroom and in social interactions within the school. Hence, the teacher should keep in mind while teaching English as a second language to the students. Why English language as the medium of Instructions at all the levels of Education? Education is a process of enlightenment and empowerment by which the individuals are able to secure a better quality of life. Today, education is global and a multipurpose social service, which must reward human resourcefulness, commitment and freedom. The present day education is aimed at the growth of body, mind, intellect and soul. Children are humanity's greatest asset. Hence a new vision of human greatness must be instilled in them. Many children go out of our country in pursuit of higher education. Hence we should welcome modern knowledge based on age old culture. It is a widely accepted fact that knowledge must be acquired and supplemented by a lifelong relearning and retaining system. With the changing times, expectations of the society about the role of students and demands on them also changed. A degree is no longer a necessary and sufficient qualification if it is not imparted with competency. This cannot be attained if the student does not adapt himself to the exposure of the emerging 'era of knowledge' The students need to have a channel of communicating with other schools, colleges and Institutions for which the knowledge of English plays an important role. English language also plays a significant role right at the school levels where a child tastes the sweetness of the literary language and develops an interest in it and inculcates the habit of book reading. English as a subject helps a lot to get one into the habit of book reading as most of the books are written in that language. Reading a good book can get one enter a different world of relaxation. The cross cultural communication helps bring in the confidence in the child and urges him to improve his skill in communicating with various people and encourages them to handle complex concepts with ease. In a period of globalization and modernization English language learning enables in transferring the individuality of a child into a personality16. As we know very well that in present scenario English language has become the medium of instruction at all the levels of education but before accepting it we should know about the term, ‘medium’ and ‘instruction’. And how has it become the medium of instruction at all the levels of education? Medium is defined as “an intervening substance through or in which something may act or an effect be produced “and instruction is “the act of instructing or teaching knowledge or factual matter imported. Medium of instruction play crucial role in teaching and learning process. It is the language through which teachers and students communicate with each other during the teaching and learning process. Medium of instruction is the issue of vital importance in the process of education. During 1980s private sector was encouraged in educational sector and the most of these institutions adopted English as the medium of instruction. Vast majority of the population are inclined to send their children in English medium schools. It is due to the fact that English is an official as well as international language. Some parents were interviewed and they pointed out that their children feel uncomfortable in understanding the subject matter, which is not in their own language. But no one can deny the importance of English as medium of instruction plays the key role in achievement level of students17. Instead of all these facts if we consider on the learning or teaching process we find so many crisis among the interaction of teachers and students.The problem in implementing the policy is that our teachers and students are not ready for English because we cannot use English within the classroom all the time, because some of our students do not fully understand. So, we have to repeat many times to what we said then we have to translate them into regional language otherwise they don’t understand at all. So, repetition of the sentences is really frequent and spending more time to translate. The Kothari Education Commission (1966) said,” Mother tongue has a pre-eminent claim as the medium of instruction at the school and college stages. Moreover, the medium of instruction at the school and higher education should generally be the same. The regional International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 35 language should, therefore, be adopted as the medium of instruction at the higher stage”. Some of the reasons advanced by the Commission in favor of adopting the regional language as medium were as under: i. The medium selected should enable students to acquire knowledge with facility, to express themselves with clarity and to think with precision and vigor. From this point of view, the claims of the mother-tongue are pre-eminent. ii. Learning through a foreign medium compels the students concentrate on cramming instead of mastering the subject matter. iii. The use of regional languages as media of education from the lowest to the higher stage of education was a matter of ‘profound importance for national integration’. Conclusions under which English is Taught in Primary StageAs above we have discussed that English Language is our major window on the world and how much it is important in present world. It has become the fundamental need of human being without its proper use we can’t survive in the society. All type of upliftment of human being either it should be economical, commercial, and educational or sociable all depends on the proper knowledge of English language. But analytically if we see around us basically in suburban areas then we find that people have not a proper knowledge of English language. Problem is not that they cannot communicate rather they cannot write and understand it properly. The reason of behind it the teaching of English in our schools is in chaotic state today. There are some major conclusions under which English is taught: i. Lack of clear-cut policy. ii. Little knowledge aims of teaching English. iii. Dearth of competent teachers. iv. Wrong methods of teaching. v. Defective textbooks. vi. Insufficient provisions of audio-visuals aids. vii. Over-crowded classes. viii. Shortage of time. ix. Unsatisfactory supervision. x. Faculty system of examination Suggestions to improve standards of Englishin IndiaEnglish is considered as a difficult subject in Indian schools. Many students fail in this subject. Teaching of English is not satisfactory in our schools. Ramamurthi committee (1990) observed that “the standard of English teaching has been going down”. As it is taught a second language in most of the schools, it does not receive the proper attention the failure in English has an impact on the overall results. In many good schools a large majority of students fail in schools 18. There are some of the suggestions for raising the standards of English in India:i. The policy regarding the place of English in our education system should be well defined. This should be determined keeping in view the national and international importance of English. ii. The teacher must keep in mind the aims of teaching English. There are enable to the student to understand English when spoken, to enable him to write English, to speak and read English in proper manner. iii. Special efforts should be made to ensure that the teachers of English themselves possess a good command of English. Some content courses like grammar must be included in the B.Ed syllabus. iv. There should be subject experts at the district level to provide guidance to the teachers of English. v. Necessary audio-visuals aids should be made available to schools the teacher should know how to prepare inexpensive aids. He should also know how to use certain aids like tape-recorder, film strips .etc. vi. The teachers must be made thoroughly conversant with the principles of the structural approach. They should give due importance to pattern practice, drill work and situational approach in their teaching. General Principles of Learning and Teaching EnglishLanguage As Thompson and Wyatt say, “The power of expression in a language is a matter of skill rather than of knowledge. It is a power that grows by exercise, not by knowing merely meanings or rule”. Language is a skill subject and not a content or knowledge subject as history or science it. While learning history what one learns is the subject matter. One learns certain facts about history. But in language work one does not gather information about the language, but learns the language itself. Language is a skill subject like painting or dancing the basis of learning a skill is practice. So make it perfect students have to do constant and sustained practices over the general principles of language learning and teaching that are given below: i. Importance of habit information, ii. Importance of oral work, iii. Situational approach to language teaching, iv. Selection and gradation of language material, v. Natural process of learning, vi. Follow the multi-skill approach, vii. Teaching basic sentence patterns, viii. Make lessons interesting, ix. Input-rich communicational environments, x. Building familiarity with the language, xi. Complementing and supplementing teacher inputs, xii. Critical Thinking: Reference Skills, Grammar, and Rhetoric. Aims of Teaching English Aims are the direct outcome of the purposes for which language is taught. Without aim we are like the traveler who does not know his destination or even the direction in which he is going. The aims determine our methods of teaching and even the preparation of textbooks. Rightly has P.Gurrey observed,”In teaching, it is highly desirable to know exactly what one is hoping to achieve, as it is in all great undertakings. If this can be clearly seen then the best way of getting to work usually becomes evident. We ought therefore to consider carefully what we are trying to do, when we are teaching a language”. As we know very well that English unites the important skills of reading and writing. It also involves speaking and listening. Good oral work enhances pupils' understanding of language in both oral and written forms and of the way language can be used to communicate. It is also an important part of the process through which pupils read and compose texts. At Primary School we give high priority to the teaching of English 19. The following are the general aims of teaching English; i. Enable children to speak clearly and audibly in ways which take account of their listeners. ii. Encourage children to listen with concentration in order to be able to identify the main points of what they have heard. iii. Enable children to adapt their speech to a wide range of circumstances and demands. iv. Develop children’s abilities to reflect on their own and other’s International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 36 contributions and the language used. v. Enable children to evaluate their own and other’s contributions through a range of drama activities. vi. Have an interest in words and their meanings and a growing vocabulary; Know, understand and be able to write in a range of genres in fiction and poetry, and understand and be familiar with some of the ways in which narratives are structured through basic literary ideas of setting, character and plot. vii. Understand, use and be able to write a range of non-fiction texts. viii. Plan, draft, revise and edit their own writing. xi. Have a suitable technical vocabulary through which to understand and discuss their reading and writing. Instead of it there are some another basic aims of teaching English. The teacher should keep in mind the aims of teaching English. The teacher should always emphasize on the aims of teaching of English. It will help to teach effectively. These aims are as: i. To enable to listen English with proper understanding. ii. To enable to speak English correctly. It means that producing sounds with the proper stress and intonation. iii. To enable the students to read English and comprehend and interpret the text. iv. To enable the students to write English correctly and meaningfully, i.e. for example writing letters, applications, description and accounts of day to day events. v. To enable to acquire knowledge of the elements of English. vi. To enable to develop interest in English. vii. To increase students’ ability to use planning, drafting and editing to improve their work. viii. To enable students to express themselves creatively and imaginatively. ix. To enable students to speak clearly and audibly in ways which take account of their listeners. x. To enable students to become enthusiastic and reflective readers through contact with challenging and text level knowledge19. Objectives of teaching English After discussing the aims of teaching English, next question arise that what should be the objectives of teaching it? Before that we should know what is the meaning of objective? “An objective is a desired goal that is trying to be accomplished. It is the main point of something or the main point that is being proved”. According to the Dictionary of Education, objective is,” the end towards which a school sponsored activity is directed”. Effective tangible changes in students behavior at the end of schooling is known as objective. Dr. S. R. Bloom has defined educational objective as, “the desired goal or outcome at which instruction is aimed”20. For example, if a teacher wants his students to improve speaking skill, the teacher will have to try his outmost level for speaking skill. Here the outcome desired or goal aimed at his improvement of speaking skill. In this way, a teacher can improve his other skills as writing skill, listening skill, reading skill and all that. After all, the teacher has to follow all his tactics for the improvement of his students. So the desired goal of improving speaking skill would be the objective of teaching. i. Listening, reading, speaking and writing are the four important objectives. ii. Graphics should be practiced by the students at primary level. The student must be able to write the alphabets, keeping space between two words in a sentence and write sentences using appropriate punctuation marks and capital letters. iii. Writing is also equally important. The students should be able to write composition. iv. All the four skills i.e. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking become important as the student grows, particularly reading and writing at the later stage. v. Students should be able to read other books excluding textbooks i.e. novel, poetry, drama, essay writing, autobiography, précis-writing etc. Instead of all above there are two main Objectives of teaching English. They are as: i. Language development. ii. Literary development. These two objectives differ from each other as far as the class and age of students is concerned. But the most important objective is to have command over the language. It can be explained with the help of following diagram: Insteadof it the most important objective is to have command over the language. It can be explained with the help of following diagram. Four-fold objectives of teaching English Figure-1 Objectives of teaching English Phonetic deals with sound spelling and pronunciation Objectives Semantic related to understanding Graphic related to writing Phonetic deals with reading International Research Journal of Social Sciences___________________________________________________ISSN 2319–3565Vol. 2(5), 30-38, May (2013) Int. Res. J. Social Sci.International Science Congress Association 37 Figure-2 Objectives to command over language Conclusion To sum up, the discussion “English Language is our major window on the world” we find that English is not only a link language in India but also in world. Because English is so widely spoken, it has been referred as a “world language”. While it is not an official language in most countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a foreign language. So English is rightly flourished not only in India but also in other countries of worlds. English is everything that one can think of-the tool of empowerment and alienation, the way of bringing about equity and creating divisions, the mass instrument of education. Education is yet to take full cognizance of the onslaught of English. In the era of globalization, English has no longer confined to the four walls of a classroom-an affair between the taught and the teacher- but has been acclaimed as a link language for all human activities across the globe. Thus, far from being labeled as the language of the colonizers, it has today acquired the status of the international language, more so because of the globalization. Thus the knowledge of English Language has become a prerequisite for professionaldevelopment in the modern world. English vocabularyencompasses almost all the subjects of sciences and humanities and all the emotions and expressions that human beings feel and conceive. The worldwide global markets have adopted English as their link-language for communication. The use of technology can and is reshaping the way we teach and learn. If we pay attention to the above problems and causes of English Language we should try to change the scenario of the teaching English Language from primary to Higher Education. To face the problems mentioned in this paper the higher education should focus the suggestions highlighted in this paper. 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