Breaking Down Walls: Challenges in Teaching English to School Level Students

This paper addresses the challenges associated with English language instruction in rural schools of India. The language policy in school education poses both societal and individual hurdles. The prevailing quality of English language education in many Indian schools is concerning, with issues such as teacher proficiency, access to language resources, and instructional materials being primary concerns. Rural students face particularly arduous circumstances, lacking the resources and opportunities available to their urban counterparts, such as language labs and audio-visual aids. English is often perceived as a subject rather than a language by rural students, hindering their engagement and proficiency. Many students approach English studies solely for examination purposes, focusing on rote memorization rather than genuine language acquisition. This fear of English is compounded by the limited vision of some teachers, who prioritize exam results over long-term student development.