Call it the hottest programming language in today's prompt-engineered world of AI; the lingua franca of the corporate world; and the undisputed operating system of global commerce, academic research, and international discourse. It helps as a bridge language connecting people of different nationalities and enables you to unlock more than half the the knowledge base that exists digitally.  English serves as more than just an essential academic credential, but a high-leverage asset that dictates career mobility, earning potential, cross-border collaboration, and social influence. 

From the estimated 2 billion people who communicate in English, only ~20% are native English speakers, while those who use it as a second language and those learning it as a foreign language constituting a huge 80%. How are they learning and continuing to hone their English language skills?

It is estimated that more than digital tools are being used by more than 500 million learners globally, while offline tutors at brick and mortar English training institutes continue to cater to the rest. There is a proverb - "All roads lead to Rome". Likewise in the English language learning space, there is a whole gamut of digital tools that can be used to help you in your English learning journey. In this blog, we shall explore the various modes adopted by these digital platforms and tools, weighing in what works for them along with their potential limitations.

Think the trinity of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. Add to these a host of other applications built on large language models (LLMs). Besides asking direct questions (substituting in place of Google Search), the primary use cases we see English learners prompting and using these applications for are:

• Editing / Paraphrasing a body of text.
• Generating a speech, presentation, report or social media post.
• Generating Bite-sized Lessons and Synthesizing Micro-Quizzes (MCQs, Fill in the blanks, error spotting, word jumbles etc. with or without a knowledge resource document uploaded).
• Simulations for Speaking practice where the model stays strictly in character, evaluates performance criteria, and provides feedback after the simulation concludes.

There are a whole host of mobile and web applications built on these Generative AI platforms. Come to think of it, you'd rarely find any language learning app that is devoid of any form of AI intervention these days. Such apps structure and personalize your learning journey based on your proficiency level.

These are apps like Duolingo, Babbel and Memrise which serve as the entry point for millions of digital language learners world over. Learners do not have to worry about planning a syllabus like on ChatGPT; they simply open the app and complete the next modular exercise. Such apps have proven to be the gold standard for implementing gamification and spaced repetition system (SRS) algorithms to aid in better lesson retention.

These are pre-recorded, video-led curricula on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning, among others that deliver structured, lecture-style English instruction asynchronously. Some e-learning providers such as The Hindu STEP may have live instructor led tutoring interventions at strategic intervals during the course.

Such platforms allow learners to gain access to the teachings of top-tier university professors, corporate voice coaches, and seasoned ELT practitioners whose live hourly rates would otherwise be cost-prohibitive. There's greater conceptual depth as lessons are covered far more rigorously than 5-minute gamified app drills. Moreover, most courses offer transcripts, downloadable slide decks, reference PDF cheat sheets, and self-graded quizzes alongside video lectures to make the learning tangible.

1:1 live tutoring apps such as Cambly, Preply and Clapingo represent the gold standard for personalized language acquisition, pairing learners directly with native speakers or certified ELT instructors via video call which creates a psychological commitment that drastically cuts attrition compared to self-directed video courses or apps. However, the human element introduces distinct pedagogical and operational trade-offs.

Flashcards are learning resources designed with the word on one side and its definition (and other lexical elements) and usage example on the other. Apps that generate flashcards and powered by Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS) such as Anki, Quizlet, and MosaLingua, are considered the benchmark for systematic memory retention in language acquisition.

When you search the meaning of a new word on Google via mobile, it shows the lexical information along with usage examples. Under that you'd see a Word Coach which tests you on your contextual usage in the form of a multiple choice question (MCQ) for that word. It then proceeds with more MCQs covering 4-5 other words.

Word games and puzzles such as the Daily Crosswords, Anagrams, Wordle, and semantic word association games facilitate vocabulary acquisition and recall through play, lateral thinking, and linguistic problem-solving.

Global internet users spend roughly 11 hours and 39 minutes per week watching online video. 35 – 40% internet users regularly consume online news via news portals, news aggregator websites, or e-papers.

Browser extensions are software programs that add features to power-up the browser you use to access the internet on your laptop/ desktop PC to help you perform functions that boost your productivity or meet your desired objectives such as  expanding your English Vocabulary while Video Streaming with English Subtitles and reading online English articles.

Browser extensions like Glibzter English Vocab Magnet not just helps you with immersive vocabulary acquisition of high impact English words and phrases from videos with English subtitles on video streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and JioHotstar, but also from online English news portals. What's more? It bridges vocabulary acquired to mastery through contextual assessments helping you measure your learning outcomes.

This blog will focus on the following 3 fundamental principles enshrined in the NEP 2020 to analyze the impact on the education ecosystem:

• Technology use and integration through online / digital education
• Promoting multilingualism and the power of language in teaching and learning
• Imparting life skills 

NEP 2020 emphasizes the important role played by technology in the improvement of educational processes and outcomes. It sees the relationship between education and technology as being bi-directional at all levels. New forms of educational software and hardware are foreseen changing not just what students learn but how they learn, thereby placing importance of conducting extensive research on how they can be improved to meet learning objectives.

An autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration, and so on, both for school and higher education. The aim of the NETF will be to facilitate decision making on the induction, deployment, and use of technology, by providing to the leadership of education institutions, State and Central governments, and other stakeholders, evidence-based advice proving the efficacy of edtech interventions, besides identifying new areas for research and innovation in the space of AI, Machine learning and Virtual Reality.

The thrust of technological interventions will be for the purposes of improving teaching-learning and evaluation processes, supporting teacher preparation and professional development, enhancing educational access, and streamlining educational planning, management, and administration

NEP 2020 also emphasizes on the need to bridge the 'digital divide' by making available affordable computing devices for students and making access to online/ digital education resources more equitable. Mass media such as television and community radio are mediums that will be used in the interim.

Appropriate agencies such as NETF, IITs, NITs etc. would conduct pilot studies to study the effectiveness of and suggest optimizing the integration of edtech products and services into the offline education set up from primary schools to higher education institutes. The policy also understands the need for suitable training and development for teachers to be effective online educators.

As per the NEP 2020, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language. Thereafter, the home/local language shall continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. This will be followed by both public and private schools in India.

The three-language formula will continue to be implemented with the States and students being given the freedom to choose them so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India. 

Besides Hindi and Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Pali, Persian, and Prakrit, will also be widely available in schools as options for students, possibly as online modules, through experiential and innovative approaches, to ensure that these languages and literature stay alive and vibrant. Similar efforts will be made for all Indian languages having rich oral and written literatures, cultural traditions, and knowledge.

For the enrichment of the children, and for the preservation of these rich languages and their artistic treasures, all students in all schools, public or private, will have the option of learning at least two years of a classical language of India and its associated literature, through experiential and innovative approaches, including the integration of technology, in Grades 6-12, with the option to continue from the middle stage through the secondary stage and beyond. 

In addition to high quality offerings in Indian languages and English, foreign languages, such as Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, will also be offered at the secondary level, for students to learn about the cultures of the world and to enrich their global knowledge and mobility according to their own interests and aspirations.

The teaching of all languages will be enhanced through innovative and experiential methods, including through gamification and apps, by weaving in the cultural aspects of the languages - such as films, theatre, storytelling, poetry, and music - and by drawing connections with various relevant subjects and with real-life experiences. Thus, the teaching of languages will also be based on experiential-learning pedagogy.

Read: Effectiveness of PLRRPAR Framework to improve your English skills

Read: How English teachers can use Glibzter Immersive while applying the PLRRPAR Framework

Studies will be undertaken to pilot new ways of assessment using education technologies focusing on 21st century skills. The NEP 2020 gives importance to holistic and multidisciplinary education with emphasis on enhancing communication skills, discussion, debate, team work, critical thinking, resilience and problem solving among others.

The motivation to write this blog comes from the article published in the editorial of The Hindu newspaper (19th Sept, 2024) titled Shed the myopia, refocus on the relevance of English, co-authored by Adv. Ra. Shhiva and Sabur Ali M, founders of Citizens for Law and Democracy (CLAD)

After perusing the entire NEP 2020 document, no where did we see any evidence of the English language being marginalized or explicitly categorized as a foreign language, with ample scope of it being used as a medium of education under the proposed three-language formula.

The NEP 2020 states that "All efforts will be made in preparing high-quality bilingual textbooks and teaching-learning materials for science and mathematics, so that students are enabled to think and speak about the two subjects both in their home language/mother tongue and in English."

We agree with the authors on the need to prioritize the promotion of English as a vital tool for national and international communication, so that every citizen can fully participate in the nation's growth story without any hindering linguistic barriers. However, the emphasis on Hindi and Sanskrit in NEP 2020 does not equate to the neglect of English in our studied opinion. 

English would still continue to be the lingua franca of the corporate world and an essential skill to have to climb the socio-economic ladder. We have a plethora of English learning apps for those students who'd have to learn English from scratch post grade 5 or 8. Our web browser extension and web app Glibzter English Vocab Magnet would be better suited for students having basic foundational level of English proficiency moving to intermediate and advanced levels.

What is heartening for an EdTech company like ours is the due importance given to technology interventions and research for further innovations in the space in the NEP 2020. Using EdTech to impart 21st century skills is certainly a business opportunity that excites us at Glibzter.

Encouraging experiential language learning using creative sources such as films, music etc. is a validation for our Glibzter English Vocab Magnet browser extension and web app offering.

With the objective of bridging the digital divide, simple interventions such as Same Language Subtitling, can be used to not just learn English, but also learn regional Indian languages through subtitles and closed captions in mass media like television as well as on OTT streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix videos. 

What are your views on our observations about NEP 2020? Do share them with us in the comments section below.

For the uninitiated, the term 'Open Internet' refers to over-the-top (OTT) and connected TV (CTV), music streaming, online gaming, and news websites with no 'walled gardens' - a term used to define an internet environment with restricted access to websites. 8 out of 10 users in India are increasing their time on the open internet in 2024, as per a research report released by global advertising agency - The Trade Desk. 

The Open Internet surpasses social media in terms of engagement. The same agency had released a report in 2023 stating that consumers are spending 52% of the average 307 hours in a month browsing the Open Internet with 48% spent on social media, user generated content and online live streaming platforms. 

Even in terms of engagement, the Open Internet comprising OTT video and music streaming, Connected TV and news websites enjoy a better engagement rate (34%) as against social media (30%). Younger Indians are 27% more likely to choose OTT/Connected TV over social media for their content consumption. 

The usage habits are very different. Users of the Open Internet actively seek information while those on social media passively consume auto-generated content feeds. This is a very useful consumer insight to have.

Internet users currently number 820 million in India. What is interesting to observe in the chart below are the activities they perform on the internet.

• On the topmost rung is OTT (audio/ video) consumption with 86% (702 million) internet users in India using streaming services. 
• OTT consumption via smart devices (Connected TV - Smart TV, Chromecast, Amazon Firestick etc.) has increased by 58% from 2021 to 2023. 208 million Indians consume video content on such devices overtaking the 181 million conventional TV consumers.
• 65% (533 million) internet users in India access online news.
• While majority of internet users (even in urban India) - 57% prefer to consume content in Indic language, it can be conversely inferred that 43% would prefer content consumption in English.
• Online learning is accessed by only 3% (24 million) of India's internet users.
  

Being an EdTech meets Consumer Tech venture, it is the lowly 3% (24 million) internet user number in the online learning space that catches our attention. Having launched Glibzter English Vocab Magnet, a web browser extension and web app for building and expanding English vocabulary while streaming online videos with English subtitles/ closed-captions and reading online news articles, there is the potential of converting a significant chunk of 533 million internet users who consume online news content and 702 million users of OTT video streaming services to become online language learners, starting with English and later using the same technology application for Indian regional languages and foreign languages.

Videos having English subtitles / closed-captions serve as an immersive mode for language learning. The trend we are looking at is the implementation of Same Language Subtitling (SLS) for entertainment/ infotainment content on video streaming platforms particularly for Indian regional language learning (e.g. Watching a Rajnikanth movie in Tamil or a Junior NTR movie in Telugu to learn new words and phrases in that language) which we see as a potential business opportunity to explore in the future. 

Read:Same Language Subtitling - A boon for language learning via videos

This can also be applicable to reading regional language content via online news portals for users keen on learning them in the future. Currently, users can still watch Indian regional language video content with English subtitles/ closed-captions to build and expand their English Vocabulary.

Lastly, the trend of increased usage of connected devices indicates the need for Glibzter English Vocab Magnet to be made adaptive for usage on mobile and such devices, beyond laptops/ PC. While gamification is already prevalent in the space of EdTech with spaced repetition for language learning, integration of online gaming with language learning is a new dimension to explore.

At Glibzter, we see the implementation of Same Language Subtitling to be a game changer in the space of language learning.

While we are currently focused on helping users like you improve communication skills in English through vocabulary acquisition and contextual assessments through our browser extension and web app - Glibzter English Vocab Magnet , SLS can help us in diversifying this offering into learning other Indian regional languages.

There are certain key insights from Dr. Brij Kothari that reinforce our reasons:

• People like to read what they hear. With closed captions, you can also see textual descriptions of sounds, music and emotion.

• Encouraging learning through video content the viewers find interesting can improve their language skills. A reason why the sitcom FRIENDS is such a hit among non-native speakers of the English language.

• SLS as a solution combines entertainment content on accessible mediums, integrating subtitles and the viewers’ passion for that content. 

• Reading activity will not require additional time and effort as it automatically takes place while watching the video content.

India has 481 million OTT users and 102 million paid subscriptions (Source:Ormax Report 2023). With an estimated 462 million YouTube users, India has more YouTube users than any other country. Netflix on the other hand has around 6.5 million subscribers in India, as per a report by analysts at AllianceBernstein in October 2023. (Source:Moneycontrol.com).

With Glibzter English Vocab Magnet, a browser extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge and available as a web application for use on laptops and desktops, we are helping our users like you to hone communication skills in English through vocabulary building.