English Language Teaching in India: A Brief Historical Sketch

English is a widely spoken language today. It has often been referred to as 'global language', the lingua franca of the modern era and currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world. With the Information Technology revolution and most software and operating systems being developed in the English language, a new utility for written and oral communication in the English language has emerged. English is said to be the world's most important language having communicative and educative value. English is used all over the world not out of any imposition but because of the realization that it has certain advantages. A very important reason for regarding English as a world language is that the world's knowledge is enshrined in English. It is a progressive language. It is dynamic and flexible. Furthermore, English is universally renowned for its power of expression and its rich literature. The changing times have witnessed the growing importance of the English language in all walks of life. It does not seem that we are using the English language as non-native speakers, or as a second language.