Why Students Fear English in Bangladesh — And Why English Is Not a Status Symbol
Lesson 1 of 11 (9%)
In Bangladesh, English is not treated as a language.
It is treated as power.
It is treated as intelligence.
It is treated as social status.
And that is exactly why so many students fear English.
English Is Not a Subject Like Math or Physics
One of the biggest problems in English learning in Bangladesh is mindset.
From childhood, students hear:
- “English is very difficult.”
- “English is harder than math.”
- “Only talented students can speak English fluently.”
Slowly, English becomes a psychological burden.
But here is the truth:
English is not Mathematics.
English is not Physics.
English is not Chemistry.
English is simply a language — just like Bangla, Hindi, or Arabic.
A language is a tool for communication. It is not a competition.
How Society Turned English into a Performance
In our country, speaking English is often highly praised — sometimes blindly.
Imagine this:
A person explains the Theory of Relativity incorrectly in English.
People clap.
Another person explains the same theory perfectly in Bangla.
Few people pay attention.
Why does this happen?
Because English has become a performance.
Not communication.
Many people speak English not to express ideas clearly, but to impress others.
And when a language becomes a tool for impressing others, fear is born.
The Fear of English Starts at Home
Most students do not fear grammar.
They fear judgment.
They fear:
- Making mistakes
- Being laughed at
- Losing respect
- Looking “less smart”
Parents unknowingly create pressure by saying:
“Speak in English properly.”
“Don’t make mistakes.”
“English-medium students are smarter.”
A child who grows up hearing this starts believing:
“If I make mistakes in English, I am not intelligent.”
And that belief creates anxiety.
English Is Not Luxury. It Is Necessity.
In today’s global world, English is important. Yes.
But it is important as a medium of communication — not as decoration.
English is not:
- A symbol of superiority
- A measure of intelligence
- A fashion statement
It is a practical skill.
You use English to:
- Apply for jobs
- Study abroad
- Communicate internationally
- Access global knowledge
That’s it.
Nothing more. Nothing mystical.
English Is a Skill — Not a Talent
No one in Bangladesh is born speaking English.
It is learned.
And any skill that is learned can be improved.
You learned Bangla by:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Making mistakes
- Being corrected
You did not wait to be perfect before speaking Bangla.
Then why wait for perfection in English?
Fluency does not come from fear.
It comes from usage.
The Real Solution: Change the Mindset
If we want to solve the English fear problem in Bangladesh, we must change one thing:
Mindset.
Instead of saying:
“English is very hard.”
Say:
“English is just another language.”
Instead of teaching children to perform English,
teach them to use English.
Instead of praising wrong English just because it sounds foreign,
value clear communication — in any language.
Because language is not about showing off.
Language is about connecting.
And confidence is more important than perfection.