English is the second language for our students as it is for the commonwealth countries in Asia and Africa. Further, the French Canadians in Canada and Africans in South Africa learn English as their second language. Learning of English as the second language after our independence was not a matter of choice. Rather it was a historical legacy from the former British rulers to their colonies like India. English was introduced into India as a medium of instruction by way of implementing Macaulay’s policy of 1835. Treated as the language of business initially, and then, converted as the language of administration in India, English occupies a vital position with its special cultural bearings in the academic career of our Indian students.
Keywords: second language, commonwealth, countries, historical legacy, Macaulay’s policy, cultural bearings .etc.
