‘IELTS’ BAND war – Are Punjabis poor in English ?

Punjabi as mother tongue

Punjab have been educationally very Punjabi since Independence.  The mother tongue and first language in Punjab is still Punjabi. Most of the schools in Village and towns the medium of education is Punjabi. In all the household parents speak in Punjabi with their Kids . Official language of Govt of Punjab is Punjabi. So where is the opportunity for Punjabis to learn and speak English in British accent ?

During 60-70s the primary school education was done in Punjabi , no English was taught . English language was added at grade 6 and that too a basic type.  There is no question of people using English in public . The Punjabi generation of this era is totally English-less. Anyone speaking in English were teased as ‘ Pagal or Angrez ’. Very few people were reading English newspaper during this era. Most of men of this era speak Hinglish.

English is still not a 1st language in Punjab

In 70-80s , English was introduced in primary school as third language and few Text book in English for some of the subject at secondary school level . Kids of this era just study English for reading and writing  but were never taught how English is spoken in good accent . This was the era where students were told to concentrate in English speaking,  that too happened in Punjabi blend. During this time , one book called ‘’RAPIDEX English speaking Course’’ became very popular with Punjabi youth,  book was about how to speak English Fluently. Keeping this book at upper shelf at home was considered as a pride by any Punjabi family.  Using this book people attempted to speak English which was anyway blended by Punjabi style and with desi tone.

Britisher’s experience in Punjab

I happened to work in a British company in Punjab to construct a Highway project with group of British Managers , Engineers and other staff ( GORAS). They struggled a lot to communicate in the govt deptt and in public , as no body could understood their British accent English with Scottish slangs. I #ESKmehta , since already worked with European companies have to step in to translate their spoken English to local Punjabi officials in the meetings , but by blending  in to Punjabi English to make the local officials to understand.  Once I was told by a high level official to tell GORAS to learn Punjabi as they could not understand British accent English. Pre partition time HINGLISH was used by GORA , but I managed to introduced PINGLISH so that both party could communicate and understand. This is my actual experience of communication level of English in Punjabi offices.

Why IELTS was introduced

Most of Punjabi who wanted to migrate to the western countries created ruckus in communicating in English in Embassy’s interview despite they have a good qualification.  In 1989 IELTS exam which carry four papers for English in Listening , reading ,  writing and speaking was introduced by major western countries as an eligible criteria.  To get a Student or emigrant Visa, IELTS BAND ranging from 5 to 7 for different category of VISA were fixed. Once this system was introduced, it hit Punjabi very badly. Other state like Kerala , Madras did well in IELTS as English is used in daily communication.

IELTS is a major qualification in Punjab

Hence the rise of IELTS coaching centers started in every corner of Punjab. More men wanted to go to West, more private IELTS coaching center opened in Punjab from small town to big cities.  The cost of coaching in these centers are from Rs 10-15K / month, and most of the student takes 3 month to get just fit to sit in the IELTS exams. There are about 20,000 IELTS institutes in Punjab. Few falsely promise to the unfit candidates to buy the IELTS Band in corrupt manners asking lakhs of Rupees per BAND which many people are paying. IELTS exams conducting agency was under Govt scanner as few men were returned back from Canadian airport who could not communicate in English despite having required IELTS bands on their certificate. There is a Fraud happening in the market wherein fake IELTS band certificates are sold.

IELTS coaching centers a big business

ILETS is a required parallel qualification in Punjab now where every youth who want to study abroad  or to migrate want this certificate.  Educated Punjabi girls are faring better than boys to get IELTS certificate. Many IELTS qualified girls after reaching Canada/USA have sponsored the boys who fails IELTS test repeatedly , and got married. Despite this , Punjabis are still not up to the mark to understand  fluent British accent English spoken by any GORA . I , despite working in British company for over 20 years , still skip to understand  British accent with Scottish slangs. I am not IELTS qualified !!!