Many students aspire to pursue higher education at the world’s leading universities. To demonstrate one’s potential at institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, or Harvard, the required IELTS score is typically 6.0 for undergraduate programs and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate levels. While these scores may appear attainable, for the majority of students in our country, achieving them remains a significant challenge. Every year, after the HSC exams, thousands of students sit for IELTS mock tests with eyes full of dreams for higher studies abroad. However, the harsh reality is that most of them fail to achieve their desired scores. The question arises: why this persistent failure? The answer is an open secret—a severe lack of a solid foundational base in English. For the past two years, serving as the Head of IELTS at S@ifur’s, one of the most reputable language learning institutions in Bangladesh, I have witnessed this crisis from the front lines. When students come to us, they have high aspirations but only 3 to 4 months of time in their hands. The ground reality, however, is that language is not a magic wand. It cannot be mastered overnight through a 3-month crash course.
Language acquisition is a long-term journey that is built over years of consistent practice. In our country’s school and college curricula, English is rarely taught as a language; rather, it is treated merely as a “subject to pass.” The biggest flaw lies in our evaluation system. In the international arena, English language proficiency is measured based on four core pillars: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Yet, in our institutional education system, there is virtually no extensive teaching or practical examination for Listening and Speaking. As a result, despite studying English for over a decade, our students lack an authentic English learning environment. They memorize grammar rules and secure GPA-5s, but when faced with real-life scenarios or the IELTS exam, they struggle to comprehend listening audio tracks or falter when speaking. We must break free from this cycle. To achieve this, I firmly believe that alongside private initiatives, the state must step forward. A revolutionary change is required at the government level to help our students deeply engage with the language and strengthen their foundations.
Recommended Steps for Reform:
Creating an Institutional Environment: Schools and colleges must mandate an “English-speaking zone” or dedicated classroom hours strictly focused on speaking and listening practices. Modernizing the Evaluation System: Specific marks must be allocated for Listening and Speaking in secondary and higher secondary English exams, introducing formal practical assessments.
Teacher Training Programs: Teachers nationwide need training in modern language-teaching methodologies to ensure classrooms shift from rote memorization to interactive learning. If we want to transform our youth into global citizens, we must provide them with a strong foundation in the global language. By shifting the reliance away from 3-month coaching programs and building this foundation right from schools and colleges, our students will confidently leave their mark at any top-tier university in the world.
I earnestly urge the government’s policymakers to bridge this gap in our education system and foster a conducive environment for language learning.
Md. Imran Hasan Munna,
Head of IELTS, S@ifur’s