Enhancing memory capacity, strengthening problem-solving abilities, improving multitasking capabilities, and even helping delay cognitive decline in later years. This is merely scratching the surface — the cognitive advantages of multilingualism are vast and far-reaching. These benefits are particularly relevant in India, where languages define geographic state boundaries, making multilingualism a lived reality. With two official languages — Hindi and English —and 22 languages featuring in the eighth schedule of the Constitution, India’s inherent commitment to multilingualism is evident.
Multilingual education creates a more inclusive and effective learning environment. Research in countries such as Kenya and Burundi in sub-Saharan Africa as well as South-East Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia have consistently shown that students achieve better learning outcomes when taught in languages they comprehend well. This is particularly crucial in early education, where mother tongue-based instruction builds a solid foundation for future learning.
This is also the reason why the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 highlights multilingualism as a goal of school curriculum and stresses the three-language formula, allowing States and regions to choose the languages based on their needs, ensuring at least two languages are native to India. The NEP also encourages the use of bilingual and trilingual teaching methods to facilitate language learning across various levels.
The irrefutable fact
However, there is another irrefutable fact: Propelled by globalisation, mobility and the internet’s dominance, English has become the global lingua franca. Basic English language skills do provide enhanced opportunities for employment and career advancement. This underscores the need to leverage students’ multilingual abilities to strengthen their reading comprehension and their ability to understand complex concepts.
By embracing multilingualism, we not only broaden individual horizons but also cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural learning/understanding. This is especially important in the field of academia and research where international collaborations are needed in the field of medicine, technology, and space exploration to solve global challenges.
A majority of academic and scientific research articles and works written in English receive more weightage in international academic circles due to the language’s global dominance in research and communication. Yet various large scale and bilateral research initiatives around the world have multilingual researchers and academics. It is their exposure to often two to three languages, which enables knowledge sharing, access to diverse resources and facilitates collaboration to arrive at solutions to global issues.
For instance, since its inception in 2006, the UK-India Education and Research Initiative(UKIERI) has facilitated over 25,000 academic exchanges spanning 4,500 educational institutions, strengthening the bilateral relationship between the U.K. and India in the areas of education, research, and innovation, while addressing shared global challenges and promoting sustainable development. Such a collaboration calls for researchers who can efficiently navigate cross-cultural settings to work in global teams, understanding nuances that might be lost in translation.
Several institutions, such as the University of Birmingham, Cambridge, and SOAS, offer funding for Indian collaborators seeking to engage in research projects in varied subjects ranging from STEM to fintech. Multilingualism can be a useful tool for research scholars and academics who wish to take advantage of such fellowships to engage in the UK.
While English proficiency remains crucial for international academic engagement, it should never come at the expense of home languages. The solution lies in developing a balanced approach that recognises both the importance of English as a global academic language and the value of multilingual capabilities.
The British Council’s collaboration with CBSE exemplifies this approach through their School Education Conference 2025 initiative that brought together several education stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to multilingual education. Initiatives such as these that support multilingual research are the need of the hour, as they can help prepare teachers and therefore children for successful participation in global academic collaboration in the future.
Proficiency in English plays a vital role in global communication, education, and professional success. As the research, “Future of English”, by British Council suggests, English is the dominant language for business, science, technology, and international diplomacy, making it an essential tool for individuals seeking opportunities in a globalised world.
As highlighted in the English in Higher Education: British Council Perspective report, there should be a conscious effort to move to needs-based support systems for students which widen access to and develop skills relevant both for study and for future employment. This is echoed in the NITI Aayog report which highlights inadequate English language proficiency as a major factor affecting employability among youth graduating from state public universities, recommending these institutions to collaborate with international language organisations to offer English and foreign language proficiency programmes.
Measuring, boosting English proficiency
English proficiency is commonly assessed using standardised tests designed to measure an individual’s ability to use the language effectively across speaking, listening, reading, and writing. One of the most widely recognised assessments is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which assigns scores that reflect an individual’s level of fluency. This test evaluates performance through a combination of academic and everyday language tasks, providing a comprehensive view of an individual’s proficiency. Research has shown that standardised assessments are reliable indicators of a learner’s ability to communicate in English, particularly in academic and professional settings.
Improving English proficiency in India requires an overhaul of traditional educational practices, focusing more on interactive and communicative approaches, especially in higher education. Encouraging students to engage in reading, listening to podcasts, watching films in English, and conversing with their peers are all valuable strategies to enhance fluency. Consistent practice and exposure, both inside and outside the classroom, are key to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application of the language.
Looking ahead, the future of research collaborations lies in embracing linguistic diversity while building strong English language capabilities. This dual approach ensures that researchers can participate fully in global academic discussions while leveraging the unique perspectives and insights available through other languages. With the right mix of policy support and practical initiatives, we can craft an inclusive research environment that truly speaks everyone’s language. By doing so, we are not merely bridging language barriers — we are building a global dialogue enriched by India’s goldmine of linguistic diversity.
(Gauri Puranik is Head of English Programmes India, British Council)
Published – April 14, 2025 07:14 pm IST