Exploring the interrelationship between culture and learning: the case of English as a second language in India

ABSTRACT Despite the continuous efforts of educationists and policy-makers to customise the existing culture of learning according to universal standards, the verity of Indian classrooms at the primary level has been less convincing, particularly in second-language learning and teaching. The central objective of this article is to analyse and correlate the superficially scattered factors which play a significant role in determining the culture of learning for English as a second language in India. The article examines the status of English among Indian languages and the pertinent reasons which make English the most sought-after medium of instruction in the entire nation. Another factor evaluated is the changing identity of English in India. Further, this article examines the impact of status and identity of English on the English language teachers and the pedagogical activities happening inside classrooms.