This is All India Radio, and let us now start learning English

• The All India Radio (AIR) will launch a radio programme focussed to train students in English.
  
• The programme titled ‘Aao Angrezi Seekhein’ will be aired from 1 September at 11 am.
  
• It will have 15 minutes learning sessions and will broadcast a total of 120 episodes.
  
• According to a BBC survey, merely 10% of the total population in India is fluent in English.

The All India Radio (AIR) will launch a radio programme to train students in English.

The programme called ‘Aao Angrezi Seekhein’ (Come let's learn English) will be aired from 1 September at 11 am.

The radio broadcast is initiated by the UN International Children's Fund (UNICEF), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and the Uttar Pradesh government. It aims to enhance pronunciation and speaking skills of students, with 15 minute sessions. It will broadcast a total of 120 episodes.

According to a BBC survey, merely 10% of the total population in India is fluent in English. However, with the government stepping up efforts to reform education and extend it to minority sections, it is expected to rise four times by 2030.

To start with, the programme will be launched from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) for students of classes V to VIII.

"Teachers and Block Education officers have been directed to ensure the availability of a radio and their proper functioning before September 1,” IANS reported citing Basic Education Department officials.

Meanwhile, state governments have also asked shiksha adhikaris (education officers) to conduct quiz contests and essay writing competition every three months.

On similar lines, Google launched an English Language Speech Assistant (ELSA) application in India recently to improve English speaking skills. It is focussed on training students in grammar.

“ELSA is trying to fill the heavily ignored but essential gap of correct pronunciation and accent,” Mint reporting citing Ankit Raj, who is a part of ELSA India.

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