Jorhat, Nov. 13: The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (Seba) will launch a course in spoken English in its affiliated schools from January next year to improve the students' spoken English capability.

The board, with its head-office in Guwahati, regulates, supervises and conducts the high school leaving certificate (HSLC) examinations in the state. Over 6,000 schools, including private institutions, are affiliated to Seba.

Seba secretary Kamal Jyoti Gogoi told The Telegraph over phone from Guwahati today that the board had decided to launch a course on spoken English with an aim to improve the spoken English fluency of students, especially those studying in vernacular-medium schools.

"It has been observed that students of vernacular medium are quite good in their written knowledge of English but they are not up to the mark in speaking the language, which is a major language of communication across the globe," he said.

Gogoi said most of the students from vernacular-medium schools who go outside the state for higher studies find it difficult to interact with teachers and classmates because they cannot speak English fluently.

The Seba secretary said since the British had colonies across the world, the English language had emerged not only as a link language but also become most essential in all spheres like education, trade and commerce, diplomacy, science and technology and sports, among others.

Stressing the need for spoken English in pursuing any career, Gogoi said students who can speak English fluently gain confidence, are smart and develop a personality to face an interview be it for higher education or jobs in government or private sector.

Gogoi said according to the board's plan, the spoken English course would be taught in schools from class IX. He said at least a few periods in a week would be allotted for the purpose. He said Seba has published a book for the course by engaging a group of experts and it will be distributed in all affiliated schools.

Gogoi said a CD containing demonstration on spoken English has been prepared by the board to be used for the course, which too will be supplied to the schools.

He said teachers would be trained in phases to teach the course. Gogoi said initially experts would train a group of master trainers at the state level, after which the trained teachers will impart training to teachers zone-wise. The second group of trained teachers will then give the training at the district level.

Gogoi said another benefit from the endeavour would be that the students could score better in the oral test of 20 marks, which is part of the matric English paper. He said efforts would be taken to upgrade the course from time to time.

The Seba secretary said the scheduled date (November 16) to open the board's regional office within the office complex of the inspector of schools (Jorhat) has been postponed to November 20. Assam education minister Sarat Borkataky will inaugurate the office, which will serve the five Upper Assam districts.