From: goanet-boun...@lists.goanet.org On Behalf Of Nascy Caldeira <<<The present Goa Govt. decision is the best and correct one, on Medium of Instruction. Where English is medium, there is a cumpulsory subject of Konkni or Marathi as second language and vice versa. Where Konkni or some other Indian language is the medium, then Engish must be learnt from grade one... **Dear Nasci, I agree fully with you. This was my trend from the beginning. I agree that Konkani is the home language of most Goans--and there is contact with Konkani for all of them--but Konkani and English should be taught from the beginning. Konkani should be taught in Devanagari and Roman scripts. English will also be a reference language for all other languages. Hindi will come easy for children who know Konkani in Devanagari. When the child needs explanation for English text, it can be given in Konkani as and when required. When studying Konkani also, English words should be given, otherwise it becomes unbearable for children. For example, I found the word "chenddu" for "ball" in the text of Vth Standard (in Konkani we used to say "bol"). If the English word is not given, it would be difficult to explain it. The teacher who does not know English will find it difficult to explain. The problem was that teachers were brought from Maharashtra and 'marathized' Konkani was being taught. Now this situation should be remedied. Konkani will be even better mastered since it is extended to Xth Standard. Our mind should evolve through Konkani, Hindi, English, French. Our complex Indian-Goan culture should be well assimilated, without forgetting that we are living in a 'global village'. But let us also teach our children and young folks to be critical of the modern culture and 'evangelize' (purify) it with real values... Regards. Fr.Ivo
