The Future of Non-English Medium Students in Engineering and Medical Streams: Challenges and Opportunities
While we at collegebol.com are practicing career guidance for students finishing secondary school, we have come across a major issue. Regional students studying in a regional language, while they aspire for engineering or medical, they somehow fail to crack the admission tests or even if they make it, they face challenges in understanding the subjects. Most of the textbooks in the colleges of engineering or medical are predominantly in English. The faculties are also comfortable teaching in English. So the question where and how will these regional students manage?
But the first step has been taken by the Rajasthan and Chattisgarh government encouraging the colleges to teach or instruct in Hindi as well. This was a step taken as per the HOnble PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision before Hindi day to promote regional languages. Taking a step on this even the Yogi govt in Uttar Pradesh did try to imply this for NEET exams in 2023 but didn’t really take off well. But what we appreciate is that there is an effort to help the rural and semi-rural students achieve better.
This article below shows that we as a country are taking an effort but still not able to make it possible.
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As a result, this is the Current Scenario
According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s (MHRD) 2019 report, over 60% of India’s students study in non-English medium schools. However, when it comes to pursuing higher education in engineering and medical streams, the majority of top professional institutes use English as the medium of instruction.
What exactly is the issue?
While we are at career guidance for these regional students, we are finding out that non- English medium students can face numerous challenges when pursuing engineering and medical streams, some of the most significant ones include:
- Language Barrier: The most obvious challenge of course is the language. While the professors explain something like machine learning, automation, or brain neurons etc find difficult to explain in Hindi or any other regional language. That is when they struggle to understand complex technical concepts and communicate effectively with professors and colleagues.
- lack of Confidence: as we have seen many regional language school students, since independence, have been made to feel less than the ones studying in English medium schools. This lack of confidence also pushes them back to take any such courses even if they wish to with the fear that they may be failing. Which to some extent is true.
- Curriculum: The curriculum in top professional institutes is often designed with English medium students in mind, which can put non-English medium students at a disadvantage.
- Resources: Non-English medium students may not have access to the same resources and support systems as English medium students, which can hinder their academic performance.
Opportunities for Non-English Medium Students
Despite the challenges, there are also opportunities for non-English medium students to succeed in engineering and medical streams:
- Growing Demand: There is a growing demand for professionals who can communicate effectively in regional languages, particularly in fields like healthcare and education.
- Institutional Support: Many top professional institutes are now offering support systems and resources specifically for non-English medium students, such as language classes and academic support programs.
- Government Initiatives: The government has launched initiatives like the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) to promote the use of ICT in education and make it more accessible to non-English medium students.
- Role Models: There are many successful professionals who have come from non-English medium backgrounds, serving as role models and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
Advice for Non-English Medium Students
If you’re a non-English medium student aspiring to pursue engineering or medical streams in a top professional institute, here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Start Early: Begin preparing for your chosen stream early, ideally from Class 11 onwards. Focus on building a strong foundation in subjects like mathematics, science, and English.
- learn or Improve Your English: Invest time and effort in improving your English language skills. Read books, watch English movies, and practice speaking with English speakers.
- Seek Support: Look for support systems and resources that can help you navigate the challenges of studying in a top professional institute. This could include language classes, academic support programs, or mentoring from seniors or professors.
- Stay Motivated: Remind yourself why you wanted to pursue your chosen stream in the first place. Celebrate your small wins, and don’t be too hard on yourself when you face setbacks.
- Explore Alternative Options: If you’re finding it difficult to secure admission in a top professional institute, explore alternative options like regional language universities or institutes that offer programs in your native language.
Conclusion
From the POV of career guidance, we at Collegebol strongly believe that the regional students should be made to take the effort to , make some parallel studies in English as well. While the Indian govt is trying to refresh and redesign the regional courses at par with the English medium courses in school, one must step up to learn that language early. This will only help them get a better ranking in the entrance exams. IIT JEE is also looking at giving options for students to write their entrance in their chosen language or Hindi. We are truly wishing that this becomes a NORMALISED practice. There should be no reason for any student to be deprived of their opportunities just because of their language preference. China, Korea, Japan, Poland, Russia, etc are all non-English countries and they are all producing quality tech and medical professionals. We are very sure that India’s scenario will change too and not just applaud the English medium students.
The future of non-English medium students in engineering and medical streams is complex and multifaceted. While there are challenges to overcome, there are also opportunities to seize. By understanding the pros and cons of the situation and seeking support and resources, non-English medium students can succeed in their chosen streams and go on to achieve their dreams.
Let there be a fair competition based on aptitude, intelligence, and performance and not language.
As the Indian government continues to promote initiatives like the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to increase accessibility and equity in education, we can expect to see more opportunities emerge for non-English medium students in the years to come.
