English-in-Education Policy and Planning in Bangladesh: A Critical Examination

Abstract

This chapter draws on critical perspectives on language policy and planning and language-in-education policy implementation framework to provide an overview of the history of English language education policies, policy implementation and their outcomes in Bangladesh. It traces the factors that have influenced the policies, their implementation and their rather dismal outcomes. The chapter describes the socio-political and sociolinguistic contexts within which Bangladeshi education is located, providing a historical overview of English in education policy from British colonial rule to Pakistani rule to the post-independence period. It then explores the status of English language education within the Bangladeshi education system and describes the various actors that have shaped English language teaching policy and practice within Bangladesh. The section that follows explores policy outcomes and the complex set of factors which have hindered the successful implementation of quality English language teaching in Bangladesh. We draw our conclusion at the end, which also includes a set of recommendations for policy implementation in the country.