These languages are really foreign for ‘Lucknawi’ students

By -Vivek Singh Chauhan

Lucknow: Lucknow, which has turned into a coaching and education hub, has very few options when it comes to study of foreign languages. Any person, student or otherwise, who wishes to learn any foreign language face tough time and lots of hurdles in their way. The city has very few institutes who offer study of foreign languages.

Earlier Lucknow University used to run courses in German, Russian and French languages but lack of faculty has led to closure of German and Russian courses. As Prof. Sabira Habib of Russian language retired in 2015, the course in Russian language was scrapped. A year later in 2016, when Paul Manoj, who taught German language, retired, this course, was also closed.

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The HoD of English and European languages, Prof. V. P. Singh, says that ’the course in French language is going on smoothly. In this language the department is running diploma, undergraduate degree, and postgraduate degree and research level courses.’ This year, applications for only French language have been accepted in the English and European Languages Department of Lucknow University.

The remaining option includes Hyderabad based English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) which has a campus in Lucknow. EFLU offers courses in German, French and Spanish. As this university has very limited seats, it is difficult to get admission, particularly in French courses. However, some 150 students are enrolled with diploma courses in the EFLU.

There are a few private centers who offer certificate and diploma courses in Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish and German, languages. These centers charge hefty fees so not everyone can afford it, besides, these courses are not recognised so the value of diplomas for any government job or for higher studies remains doubtful.

Ankit Laoshi of British Foreign Language Classes says that “Students who want to make their career in Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs), consumer relationships, tourism and communications come to us. Ankit justifies the hefty fees saying that the faculty is hard to find and their charges are very steep.‘Koshika’ French Language Academy, located in Gomtinagar area, charges Rs 10,000 for two months A-1 level certificate. They too cite similar reason for high fees.