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West Bengal Launches English Confidence Workshop for Bengali-Medium Students

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education is organizing a special five-day workshop to help Bengali-medium school students overcome their fear of English. Starting January 5th, the program will provide practical training to 2,000 Class XI students from over 150 schools in its initial phase. Officials state that proficiency in English is crucial for higher education and career opportunities, prompting this confidence-building initiative. If successful, the council plans to gradually extend this training model to students across all districts of the state.

Key Points: West Bengal Workshop to Overcome English Fear for Students

  • 5-day practical English training
  • For 2,000 Class XI students
  • Targeting fear and hesitation
  • Aiming for state-wide expansion
2 min read

West Bengal to hold workshop for Bengali-medium students to overcome fear of English

West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education holds a 5-day workshop for 2,000 Bengali-medium students to build English language confidence and skills.

"This initiative aims to eliminate the fear of English that exists among students of Bengali-medium schools. - Priyadarshini Mallick, WBCHSE Secretary"

Kolkata, Jan 1

For a long time, students studying in Bengali-medium schools in West Bengal have been grappling with a fear of the English language. Due to a lack of confidence in speaking, writing and understanding English, many students tend to fall behind academically. To address this long-standing concern, the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has taken a special initiative.

A special workshop has been organised at the beginning of the new year with the objective of helping such students overcome their fear of the English language and build confidence.

A senior official of the state Education Department said on Thursday that the special training camp will be held at Vidyasagar Bhavan in Salt Lake from January 5 to January 9. Organised by the WBCHSE, the workshop will be attended by students from more than 150 Bengali-medium schools across the state.

As many as 2,000 students will receive practical training in the English language during the five-day programme. Classes will be conducted in two sessions each day, with around 200 students participating in each session.

The students selected for the workshop are Class XI students who have English as their second language. The Council has observed that students from Bengali-medium schools often display hesitation and fear when it comes to speaking and writing in English.

Officials pointed out that proficiency in English plays a crucial role in higher education and future career opportunities. Keeping this in mind, the Council has taken this step to help students overcome their inhibitions and strengthen their communication skills.

Priyadarshini Mallick, Secretary of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, said, "This initiative aims to eliminate the fear of English that exists among students of Bengali-medium schools. Initially, it is being introduced for students from a few districts. Gradually, this type of training will be extended to students from all districts of the state."

In the first phase, students from schools in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, parts of Howrah and Kolkata have been given the opportunity to participate in the workshop.

Educationists said that if the initiative proves successful, it could bring about a significant improvement in English language learning among students of Bengali-medium schools in West Bengal.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally! A practical step. The focus should be on conversational English and removing the 'sharam' or hesitation. My cousin in a Bengali-medium school is brilliant in science but struggles to express himself in interviews because of English. This could be a game-changer for his career.
V
Vikram M
Good move, but a 5-day workshop is just a start. The real problem is in the school curriculum and teaching methods from the beginning. We need permanent, qualified English teachers in these schools, not just short-term camps. The intent is right, but the solution needs to be more systemic.
S
Sarah B
It's heartening to see such efforts. Language should be a bridge, not a barrier. I hope the workshop uses fun, interactive methods and doesn't feel like another pressure-filled exam. Building confidence is key.
R
Rohit P
As a Bengali, I'm proud of our language and literature. But we must be practical. English is the language of opportunity in today's India for higher studies and jobs. This initiative helps students master a tool without losing their mother tongue. Win-win! 🙏
K
Kavya N
My daughter faces this exact issue in her Bengali-medium school in Howrah. She's so scared of making mistakes that she never speaks up. I've registered her for this workshop. Fingers crossed it helps her break that mental block. Thank you, WBCHSE!

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