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  • Category: General

    Allowing university students to write exams in local language-pros and cons

    UGC (University Grants Commission) has permitted universities to allow the students to write exams in local languages even if the medium of the course is English.
    The UGC requested them that students in their university "be allowed to write the answers in local languages in examinations even if the programme is offered in English medium, and promote translation of original writing in local languages and use local language in the teaching-learning process at universities,"
    This paradigm change is to be seen in the light of similar changes occurring in many All India competitive and entrance exams like Staff Selection Commission, where it is approved to conduct tests (for non-technical posts) in thirteen regional languages also in addition to Hindi and English.
    As in everything there can be both pros and cons in this also.
    Members, let us discuss them in this forum
  • #772625
    Allowing university students to write exams in their local language can have both pros and cons. Here are some of the potential advantages and disadvantages:

    Pros:

    Inclusivity: Allowing students to write exams in their local language can help to make the exam process more inclusive, particularly for students who may struggle with the language of instruction.

    Improved understanding: Students who are more comfortable with their local language may have a better understanding of the exam questions and be able to answer them more effectively.

    Promotes diversity: Allowing students to use their local language promotes linguistic diversity and recognition of regional languages.

    Better performance: When students are allowed to write exams in a language they are comfortable with, they are more likely to perform better.

    Cons:

    Difficulty in evaluation: If exams are written in a variety of languages, it can be difficult for examiners to evaluate the answers equally.

    Standardization: Allowing students to write exams in their local language may make it difficult to maintain standardization across the exam process.

    Employment opportunities: Students who write exams in a local language may have difficulty finding employment or applying to universities outside of their region or country.

    Communication: It may lead to a communication barrier in the future as the graduates may face difficulties in communicating with their peers or other individuals who may not be proficient in their local language.

    Hence, allowing university students to write exams in their local language can have both positive and negative impacts, and it is important to weigh the pros and cons before implementing such policies. It's important to make sure that the examination system is able to maintain standardization and fairness, while also promoting inclusivity and diversity.

    Arvind
    "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X

  • #772626
    I feel it will not be a pure local language but a very practical mixture of English or Hindi as per medium) and the local language. Even in our day to day life we use such mixture language only.
    When I was studying in school, I was in English medium class, but the students in the local language medium class were having same syllabus and text books with the key terms in English(written both in local language alphabet and in English). For example it was 'Sulphuric acid for both medium text books and not 'Gandhakaaml as it later came to be used in local language medium. So a local language medium student will write Sulphuric acid in local language alphabets and the student in English medium will writ in English . That is a more easy and practical way.

  • #772632
    Studying subjects in the local language at higher levels may not be very attractive.
    As technology is developing world is becoming small and a global village concept is emerging. To survive in such a situation all the students should know what is happening elsewhere. Here only problem will come. No good reference books are available in the local language and when we refer to some books in English we may not be able to understand the same as we are not well-versed in the nomenclature of various important items in the English language.
    A student studying in the local language may not be able to compete internationally for higher studies.
    A student who studied English media but wanted to write in the local language may not have any problem in this case. Anyhow, as mentioned by the author even in our day-to-day life also we are not using any single language but a mix of 2 or 3 languages.
    But personally, I always suggest all the students especially science and technology students study English medium and write examinations also in English only.

    drrao
    always confident


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