Despite the fact that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools to map students’ mother tongues “at the earliest” and align instructional materials accordingly before the end of the current summer break, the English language has a bright future in the country, Alison Barrett MBE, director India, British Council, told FE.
“India’s rich linguistic diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and the National Education Policy’s emphasis on promoting local languages and multilingual education will help children build strong foundational literacy skills early in their educational journey,” Barrett said. “At the same time, English continues to be a global lingua franca – facilitating access to international higher education, research collaboration, and employment opportunities. In an increasingly interconnected world shaped by globalisation, mobility, and digital connectivity, proficiency in English gives Indian students and professionals a competitive edge, both nationally and internationally.”
English is the dominant language of instruction in primary classes in CBSE schools – 30,000 across the country – but a CBSE circular, dated May 22, stated that from pre-primary to Class 2 (called the ‘foundational stage’ under the NEP), teaching should be in the child’s home language, mother tongue, or a familiar regional language, and if that’s not practical, it can be the state language.
Multilingual education
Barrett said that multilingualism and English language learning can – and should – coexist. “Our experience shows that leveraging a learner’s home language to learn English and other languages enhances comprehension and supports conceptual understanding. At the British Council, we strongly support the NEP’s vision for multilingual education and the pedagogical use of multiple languages in the classroom,” she said. “We believe that celebrating and integrating India’s linguistic diversity into the education system, while equipping learners with English language skills, creates a powerful platform for academic success, cultural exchange, and global citizenship.”
She added that by supporting multilingualism and enhancing English proficiency, India is well-positioned to foster inclusive development, bridge local and global communities, and empower its youth to thrive on the world stage.
The future of English
According to the British Council’s research publication “The Future of English: Global Perspectives”, English is the most widely spoken language worldwide, and is expected to maintain its status as the global language of communication for at least the next decade and beyond. The report, however, also points out that the future world will be linguistically diverse and hyper-multilingual.
“English will continue to serve as a bridge language across key sectors such as education, international business, diplomacy, science, and technology,” Barrett said. “As a result, proficiency in English will remain a critical asset for individuals seeking access to international study, employment, and professional development opportunities.”
She added that English is also the most used language on the Internet. “With artificial intelligence, large language models and machine learning, driving most of future human endeavours, having a knowledge of English will continue to remain a critical skill,” she said.
Compared to other languages, English offers distinct advantages due to its global reach and the extensive resources available for its learning and use. According to the British Council data, it is the most taught foreign language worldwide, and is often a prerequisite for participation in global academic, professional, and digital spaces. In multilingual settings, it often serves as a neutral medium, facilitating inclusive dialogue and collaboration.
“The role of the English language is evolving, and it will continue to remain relevant in the future, alongside many other languages,” Barrett said.