view - National Center for Education Development

Teaching English Language
English was introduced in the Nepalese education system in 1854 when the then Prime
Minister Jung Bahadur Rana opened a high school for the Ranas in Kathmandu.
However, it was not introduced in higher education until 1918 when Tri-Chandra
College, the first college in the country, was established. Introduction of ELT in
Nepalese education virtually started in l97l with the implementation of National
Education System Plan (NESP). With the initiation of B.Ed. programme in English
education by Institute of Education of Tribhuwan University in 1971, the field of ELT
emerged in Nepal.
English is a major international language. It is one of the six official languages of the
United Nations and the means of international communication. It has been taught as a
second language in all schools in Nepal and as a medium of teaching and learning at
higher level. Furthermore, it has been taught from grade one onwards in school
education. There is also a provision of English as optional subject at secondary level
(grade 9 -12).Besides Nepali language, English also can be used as the medium of
instruction in all schools as per the provision made by Education Regulations. Existing
English curriculum has been designed with a view to catering the immediate needs of
children learning English and building a basic foundation for their further studies in and
through English. Moreover, it aims at developing comprehensive communicative
competence in the learners.
The major focus of the curriculum is on language skills viz. listening, speaking, reading
and writing.
Level wise objectives of English Language Teaching
The objectives of teaching English in Basic level (1-5) are:
� to give pupils ample exposure to the English language so that they can understand
and respond in simple English with acceptable pronunciation and intonation,
� to provide them with the opportunities to practise their English in and outside the
classroom, so that they can communicate in simple English,
� to help them develop enthusiasm for reading so that they will be responsive and
knowledgeable readers,
� to help them develop their potentialities in writing so that they can be creative
writers, and
� to develop a positive attitude towards learning English and build up confidence in
using English.
The objectives of teaching English in Basic level (6-8) as per Lower Secondary Level
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