"English for science and technology" with the refrence of R. S. Sharma's research paper

This blog is a part of our ELT-1 class activity,

The references has been taken from the research paper of R. Sharma on teaching of EST in Indian conditions¹

            

            

              In this paper, R. S. Sharma has focused upon the “needs of students”. English language for science and technology requires advanced vocabulary and good materials. Most of the Indians have not good command over English language because it is second language for them and when it becomes necessary to learn English, it requires good materials and proper methodology.

              
             Science and technology has a different language than we have in our day to day communication, there is a vast difference between technical English language and normal English. There are many limitations of English language in India, first we have L1 and L2 conflicts,  second is not using proper English language or we can say Indian version of English, English has always treated as a language of ‘need’ rather than knowledge.

             
             There are many limitations of English in academics also, like, teachers are not using English properly or they have not enough knowledge of English and that is the reason that students are not able to communicate properly. The financial condition of a student also matters because the fees of this kind of courses are out of budget for many Indian middle class families.

There are two abilities of the student of science and Technology:

     
      Þ   Reading and comprehension

      Þ   Able to speak English properly

  
          R.S. Sharma has criticized the method of developing materials and use of that materials by teachers. As per Sharma teachers should be aware about the learner and the learner should be analyzed by the teacher. Teacher should also motivate the learners. Teacher should always give challenges to the learner so it can be helpful in expanding the knowledge about the subject.

The most important instructions which Sharma has given to the teachers are, 
 

      Þ  Teacher should always get ready to change for the learner

      Þ  “Identifying the nature of the learner’s need” is the first priority of a teacher.

       Thus R.S. Sharma has studied the needs of learners, limitations of EST, ill equipment of teachers, lack of good materials, and training of teachers for teaching EST.