The Problems of English Studies in Bangladesh

Abstract

English Studies in Bangladesh today does not have the same prospect it enjoyed even twenty years ago. Although there has been expansion of English Studies-as new university departments teaching the subject have opened, and most university colleges have English literature as a major subject, there has been a continuous slide in quality. The situation has almost reached a crisis point, and many academics openly raise questions as to the viability of English Studies in its present form. The challenges that English Studies today faces are many, some ideological, some methodological and pedagogical, and some have to do with such things as poor logistics, lack of libraries and books and qualified teachers. In addition, the challenges coming from the bifurcation of English departments into Language/Linguistics and Literature streams, and increasing marketability of such courses as TESOL, ESP and the like pose a grave threat to English Studies in Bangladesh. The paper will discuss these problems in some detail, and will attempt a way out of the current crisrs.