Rhetorics in/of English language education in India: A case of digital natives in higher education programs

Title

Rhetorics in/of English language education in India: A case of digital natives in higher education programs

Creator

Vijayaraghavan A.P.; Chattaraj D.

Description

The study briefly analyzes the ELT situation in India which is replete with challenges emerging from the lack of engagement with the phenomenon of digitality that further shapes the existing nature of learning and the needs of the learner. After locating the position of English Language in the new education policy of India, the paper discusses the General English (GE) courses offered at undergraduate level at the city of Bangalore in India, thereby shedding light on the existing gaps between policy and practice. It is based on this conjecture that the paper suggests the possibility of introducing rhetorical practices in GE courses at undergraduate levels in various institutions in urban India. In order to substantiate this suggestion, the results of a survey conducted with the learners (N=359) of a GE course based on rhetorics at a Southern Indian university is provided. Empirical data along with a brief reflection on the learners' voices are used in the study to examine the efficacy of the structure, administration and evaluation practices of this new course. The study thus opens up possibilities of initiating a discourse around the mode in which English language education and teaching is envisioned, formulated and implemented in undergraduate programs across urban India. 2020 ELE Publishing. All rights reserved.

Source

Journal of English as an International Language, Vol-15, No. 2

Date

2020-01-01

Publisher

ELE Publishing

Subject

Critical skills; Digitalization; EAP; ELE; ELT; English in India; General English

Coverage

Vijayaraghavan A.P., Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Chattaraj D., Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access

Relation

ISSN: 22002014

Format

Online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85100296633&partnerID=40&md5=6658989f369f933804546e60e6284418