Breaking myths about English as an academic subject

Students often expect language mastery, but the degree demands analysis of literature and ideas, writes Anika Tahsin

As English remains one of the most globally used languages, students in Bangladesh often assume that the language itself and the academic discipline or degree are one and the same.

As a practitioner, some common responses I hear about why students want to study the subject include their desire to “learn how to communicate in English properly”, or that they happened to receive “very good grades in English” (perhaps in college), and, most commonly, “because I want to settle abroad”.

Parents, who are often the students’ primary advisors, also encourage earning a degree in English for many of the same reasons as well as for “prestige” or future career growth and job security.

While having a handle on the language can certainly improve job prospects or navigation through the complexities of higher studies abroad or immigration to an English-speaking country, the misconceptions of parents and aspiring students of English need to be addressed so they are aware of the expectations when approaching their university studies.

One of the common misconceptions is that enrolling in an undergraduate programme in English, for example, will enable students to learn the language well.

It may come as a surprise to many but a degree in English requires its students to be adept in the language already. The focus here is not how to speak the language, but how to use it to explore diverse social-cultural-political-religious-ecological issues through literary and linguistic artefacts.

Prior competency in the language is, thus, essential for understanding and doing well in class.

Every subject has its challenges, but guardians encourage struggling students to settle for a degree in English believing that it is an easy subject of study.

In the same way, those who are unable to get admitted to more demanding programmes may also opt for English as a viable solution.

However, to cope with English studies, students must have interpretative, analytical, theoretical, research, and writing skills, or understand how to develop them during their course.

Many students are taken aback by this demand on their intellect.

More often than not, most students choose a degree in English believing that this subject is a pathway to their dreams of “settling abroad”.

Few students choose this degree because of their passion for literature or linguistics.

Like any long-term relationship, it is difficult to sustain oneself through a four-year degree programme if the passion is absent.

But the good news is that studying English will definitely help to prepare for the move overseas as students become acquainted with multiple cultures and social practices as well as learn how or where or when to use the language appropriately.

They also have the opportunity to practice their skills with peers and teachers, gaining confidence and expertise in the process.

Another misconception is that students of English only read storybooks and poetry, which, to some, may sound like an easy life.

Although it is true that students must read literary texts and understand language development and usage, they also gain an understanding of diverse and complex ideas leading to the cultivation of a critical mind that is also empathetic and emotionally intelligent, sensitive and aware.

Theories and critiques, hypotheses and research, all connected to the real world, immerse students in expansive explorations through which they are not only able to identify complex problems but figure out how to address them.

Due to this diverse nature of ideas that students gain during their study of English, they can be assured of a career in any sector.

A common misconception, however, is that studying English only allows one to become a teacher and, of course, those of us who studied this subject have been asked if we are going to be one.

Teaching is, as a clichéd phrase goes, a noble profession, but it should not be seen as a fall back option -- when nothing works out, one can always become a teacher.

It should be chosen deliberately after learning about the range of available career options in media, consultancy firms, corporate communications, management, banking, development, diplomacy, government sectors, content creation, and everything in between including -- yes -- teaching.

Given the wide-ranging possibilities of careers for a graduate in English, it is entirely possible to land a high paying job with a strategic approach.

However, with students and parents thinking that teaching is the only option, it is easy to see why there is a misconception that English graduates earn low salaries because, in Bangladesh, unfortunately, teachers are among the lowest paid.

A background in English studies allows graduates to explore diverse options and demand better wages because, in most cases, not only do they fit the criteria for the job but have additional skills and qualities gained through their training as students of English.

The discipline, English, is much more than just a language. It shapes students’ mindsets, awareness, personalities, and develops their critical thinking skills, but, most importantly, it allows students to explore different professional fields and, in fact, branch into other disciplines in higher education such as Environmental Studies or Gender Studies.

The icing on the cake? The process of reading, writing, listening to, and speaking in English will automatically achieve that initial goal of “learning” English!

[Anika Tahsin is a lecturer in the Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)]