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Language not a barrier anymore

Making adjustments
Last Updated 23 January 2012, 15:42 IST

A huge number of students in the City study in schools where the medium of instruction, subject matter and tests are exclusively in Kannada.

These students have the option of writing their competitive exams in this language as well, and are given a fair chance in securing admission in some of the best colleges in the City.

The fact remains, however, that most of these colleges function solely in English, and Kannada-medium students face a host of difficulties here. In fact, a large number of students who switch their medium of instruction are often unable to cope with the demands of the system, and end up dropping out of college. However, there are many students who gradually overcome the language problem and do well. Metrolife speaks to a few students and college authorities to find out how they adapt to a new medium of instruction.

Bindu, a computer-science student, narrates the difficulties that she faced when she joined college. Although her medium of instruction throughout school was Kannada — in fact, this was the language in which she wrote her board exams as well — she went on to join Women’s Polytechnic, where her professors spoke only English.

“The first three months were very tough,” she reminisces. “The teachers taught us in English, and all our textbooks were in English as well.”

Bindu says that she had to put in a lot of effort to overcome this communication issue. “I used to read my texts repeatedly, and then write down each word five or ten times, so that I would both understand as well as remember it,” she recollects, adding, “I also took a lot of help from my friends. I’d sit with them, and they’d make me understand whatever was being taught.” In her third year now, she feels she’s managed to get a grasp of the language.

Vidya, a medical student who also wrote her board exams in Kannada medium, agrees that the initial period in an English medium college can be very tough. “I took up medicine, and I’ve never faced such a difficult period before,” she describes, adding, “I used to ask my friends for help, and would study very slowly. I’d sit with a dictionary and translate one page at a time. But, I never tried mugging up my work in English, because I knew it wouldn’t help.”

However, not all students have this capability. Abdul Hameed, the administrator of HKBK College of Engineering, admits that there are several students who give up under the pressure and leave college. “It’s especially difficult for them in the first two semesters.
They might be familiar with technical terms, but understanding what’s taught in class and then communicating it during an exam is very tough,” he explains.

It’s near impossible, he maintains, for colleges to provide facilities for their Kannada-medium students. “90 per cent of our students understand English. Also, our teachers are from different parts of the country and many of them don’t speak Kannada either. We can’t force them to teach in a different language for a small section of students,” he explains. However, he feels that with a certain amount of hard work, Kannada-medium students can solve this issue. “Even I studied in Urdu and Hindi medium before learning English. If students put in effort, they can pick up the language and by the pre-final semester, they’ll be fine,” Abdul concludes.

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(Published 23 January 2012, 15:40 IST)

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