By Our Special Correspondent
SHILLONG: The English and Foreign Languages University, Shillong Campus organised a two day national seminar titled “Teaching of Foreign Languages in India: Dynamics and Relevance to the North-East India” which kick-started on Monday.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Madhu Sahni, Professor of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University said in today’s multicultural world issues have to be debated at the theoretical and practical level.
Dr Sahni rued the absence of foreign language curriculum and said too little importance has been given by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to the study and learning of foreign languages.
“The potential of language education is yet to be fully understood and the neglect of language skills at the school level is not addressed,” Dr Sahni said adding that there is also a huge gender disparity in the intake of students into the language schools.
Elaborating that language is not just a commodity to meet market demands, Sahni said this instrumentalist approach to knowledge has to be transformed into learning of language to have a better understanding of the cultural nuances of the people speaking the language.
Chief Guest, Patricia Mukhim, Editor The Shillong Times stressed on the need to master as many foreign languages as possible so that opportunities for employment as translators, interpreters, media personnel, diplomats, teachers, tour guides etc open up.
“In a globalised world where people from one country service people of another country language is an excellent tool for winning clients and influencing their choices.
Mukhim said if the Look East Policy is to take shape, people of the region have to learn Burmese, Thai, Chinese and other South East Asian languages.
The inaugural function was presided over by Dr AK Mishra, Professor of Linguistics, EFLU.