Foreign Language : Speaking

When we learn a foreign language, we learn to speak it in the classroom and later extend the activity by using that language to communicate with other speakers who know it. Speaking in a foreign language serves a much more restricted function than speaking in the mother tongue. For example, we speak in a foreign language only while we are learning it and only when we interact with speakers of that language who cannot communicate in a language other than their own. The ability to speak a foreign language is advantageous in that it extends our domain of interaction to countries other than our own.

Sometimes, as in India, a foreign language comes to stay. Because of its constant contact with indigenous language, it acquires a local colour and its function expends so that it acquires the status of a second language. In India, English has acquired the status of an associate official language and besides being an international language serves as a ‘lingua franca’ at the national level. Thus it has an expanded function, and as a second language differs from foreign languages such as French, Italian, Russian, Spanish etc., which have a rather limited function in India.

Owing to the special status, English has assumed the role of official language to a large extent. A majority of Indians are keen to learn to speak it well. They are aware of the fact that English has social prestige, and can be used for a variety of purposes. The rapid growth of telecommunication the world over has necessitated the use of spoken language. In addition, scientists, doctors, lawyers, technologists, engineers and English teachers commonly speak English at the workplace with their class fellows in and outside the classroom. At interviews for jobs, the ability to interact with others in English gives them an advantage over those who cannot speak it well.