In a rare contrast, many foreigners are instead coming to Hindi heartland to learn English. India has had a long exposure to English language. In 1830s, when the British began their colonial rule in India, English was used for administrative purposes but in the following years, it expanded its use for commercial purposes as well.
‘Anglo Arabic College’ now known as ‘Dr. Zakir Hussain College’ was the first institute to start English language course in India. Later on with globalisation, India came up with many English teaching institutes.
The Haryana Institute of Public Administrative (HIPA) is teaching English to auto drivers and rickshaw pullers so that they can easily converse with foreign tourists expected at the Commonwealth Games 2010.
Anderson, 24 year old from Congo, studies computer networking and English from NIIT and Inlingua respectively. He is among the thousands who chose India as a centre for learning English. India is turning to be a hub for English education.
“Minimal fees, quality education and exposure to cultural diversity are the few things which attracted me”, says Jack, a student from France studying English at Inlingua.
Delhi being the capital city has always been the first preference for immigrants. Delhi has become the destination for immigrants who are struggling to get education and employment. This is why people throng to the capital of opportunity.
Amisi, a French citizen who came to Delhi for pursuing a certificate course in English agrees, “The best thing about learning the language in India is you not only get to learn English but also get exposure to various cultures.”
Collections of Indian English vocabulary have been around for over a century.
Roomy Naqvy a faculty at English department, Jamia Millia Islamia echoes, “Availability of large number of trained English trainers and low fees is what attracts foreigners.” In language, numbers count. There are more people speaking English in India than in the rest of the native English-speaking world.
“English in India holds a higher social status, it’s the language of elites and everybody likes to be in that strata.” says Habibullah a student from Afghanistan. Farhat an IAS aspirant feels, that the fast pace of the India’s development is attracting foreigners.
Tanvi Sharma, a tour executive at IBEX expeditions says, “Fees in US, UK or Australia for taking up English education is 4 to 5 times more in comparison to India.” Education tourism is flourishing in India, she added further.
Sir Jonathan Charles Shifley an academician from America says, “One can make lots of money by teaching English in India, and cheaper cost makes it accessible to all.”
India with almost 232 million English speaking people and the number increasing exponentially has the potential to assimilate outsiders who want to learn English language, among others. English training institutes that have also added to Country’s income. India with English can promote itself as a global entrepreneur and economic superpower.



Trivia
• Dynamic Training Services India
• Started by an American Jonathan Charles Shifley
• Situated in Zakir Nagar area of South East Delhi
• English is taught by few Native speakers of the language
• Most of its beneficiaries belong to Muslim community
• It has a collaboration with Darool Uloom Deoband
• Has around 100 students
• Students from country like Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Turkey.