Factors and Problems of Teaching English as a Second Language in Rural Areas in Nepal
By Bishnu Mani Thapaliya
Jana Adarsha Multiple Campus, Birendranagar, Chitwan
Most of the students accomplish their schooling in their mother tongue i.e.Nepali. Though they have attained heaps of marks in core subjects, they remain very poor at English still. The students have an unknown fear and fever over English all these years. Now, let us examine some of the various factors which leave English as a souring grape for rural students even today.
To begin with, the first and the fore most factor is the socio-cultural and financial background of the family. As most of the parents are illiterate, they cannot directly take part in the of their children though they aspire for their children’s’ bright future. Hence, the students’ performance lacks daily routine parental supervision and guidance which is very necessary at this juncture of their education. The illiterate parents cannot realize what their children pursuing neither they do afford time to consult the teacher about the progression in studies of their children. Every minute during the day time is valuable for them as they have to struggle in earning their livelihood. The boy or girl is also sent for work on wages at the specified time of the year which affects their education very dearly.
The second major problem is the inefficiency of the teachers. These students generally pursue their studies in Government public schools in which the medium of instruction is Nepali, their mother tongue. The methodology of ELT in these schools is bilingual or translation method. The teachers simply translate everything into their mother tongue and explain them on the name of bilingual or translation method. Though this method offers them sound knowledge in the content, it prevents them in acquiring communication abilities in English. The teacher here plays more as a translator than a genuine English teacher. Hence, virtually, there is no much difference between a Nepali teacher and an English teacher.
Another probable reason is the model of the English examination papers. It has not been designed in a manner that it helps students to have an authority over English language; rather it makes the students take it for granted. The examinations are content based on memorization where the students are supposed to reproduce what they have recited. Thus students are forced to adopt by-heart method. Their memory works help them more than their creativity and intelligence.
Listening is the one basic skill which makes speaking possible.
Nobody can speak a language without listening to it. Even an infant starts speaking in a particular language after listening to it for many months. It is why an infant who is deaf by birth remains dumb too. Since s/he is not able to listen to, s/he cannot speak in it.