It’s screen time versus the classroom for new age English language learners

Cambridge Assessment English is making landmark change in how technology is being used to impart English language education
With apps making the way for better learning, students are more keen on learning the language
With apps making the way for better learning, students are more keen on learning the language

India has the largest number of mobile phone users in the world, so even imparting education has become easier to through phones than through an actual classroom. This is why it isn't surprising when Geoff Stead, Director of Digital, Cambridge Assessment  English tells us that an English quiz app has had over 2 million downloads in just six months. 

Cambridge Assessment English has been developing several apps and mobile-friendly software that makes learning interesting as well as effective, for young children as well as older learners. "We recently developed an entire course for Business English but then people were more interested in downloading an app for the same. So now we are trying to create an app," said T K Arunachalam, Regional Director- South Asia, Cambridge Assesment English.

Besides students, CAE also provides support to teachers through apps. But now CAE is trying to reach out to areas that have no access to the internet as well and develop courses that can be used in areas with low net connectivity. 

Intense discussions- The panelists at the event,  Karthick Sridhar, Sunil Paliwal, IAS,  Geoff Stead and  Anand Pillai

CAE is already working with many local innovators as well and are hoping to work with many more in the future as well. So during a panel discussion when Stead was questioned about the necessity of 'Western' technology in India, he said that he didn't look at it as anything 'Western' because Indians themselves were creating technology to suit the country's need. "What is more important than anything is to encourage local innovation and tie up with them to create better software for the benefit of Indians," Stead explained.

Sunil Paliwal, Principal Secretary, High Education, Government of Tamil Nadu was also a participant in the panel discussion who appreciated the fact that technology was creating such drastic changes in education. "However, I think that the traditional methods of should be improved first to better make use of technology. For example, for e-governance, we have to ensure that there is governance first," he explained. 

Due appreciation- Geoff Stead givign away one of the awards

The discussion also lend to discussions on the shortcomings of the education system in the country and job opportunities for young graduates. Paliwal pointed out that Tamil Nadu has one of the highest Gross Enrollment Rate in the country at 44 percent, but unfortunately the creation of jobs is not on par with enrollments. "The percentage of people engaged in agriculture 70 years ago was 90 percent, now it is less than 40. These days people don't want to choose the profession of their fathers, which is okay. But the transition should also be smooth, or we'll be left with slow job creation and millions of unemployed youth," he explained.

The panel discussion was happening on the occasion of the 'Best 25 Preparation Centre Awards for Higher Education in South Asia' organised by the Cambridge Assessment English. The awards acknowledge the best preparation centres for Cambridge English exams for the higher education sector in South Asia, and to create awareness on leveraging technology in education. A large number of the awardees were from institutions in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.

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