Recently an ELT conference organized by one of the oldest English Language Teachers’ organization in India, discussed elaborately on Indian ELT. The discussions focused primarily on the content of a Concept Note published prior to the conference with a startling opening statement: “English language teaching has failed in our country, not miserably but significantly.” The presentations during the conference focused on topics highlighted in the Concept Note which included: Should we have an Indian ELT; How are other languages taught in India; Teacher autonomy; Use of technology; Research and Teacher development. The investigator, a teacher educator by profession drawing on his two decade long experience of preparing teacher trainees and interacting with students and teachers in schools and colleges have come to the conclusion that what ails English Language teaching in India is not something related to pedagogy alone as it is often assumed. The fault the investigator in this paper argues lies in the ‘attitude’ of learners and the community and very little on pedagogy. The paper commences with a review of the profile of learners of English in schools and colleges. It focuses on the socio-economic background and its impact on learners, the divergent experience the learners hailing from well off and disadvantaged families have, the effect of English language competence on social mobility and the effect of English language instruction sans cultural baggage on aspirant learners. The review reveals that the time has come to stop shoving under the carpet the truth that teaching English in India implies a cultural-transformational component and the acquisition of a global perspective which is likely to challenge one’s own ethnic and linguistic affiliations. It is hoped that the paper will turn the lime light on a conveniently ignored ‘issue’ related to the teaching of English in India. It can possibly open the eyes of authorities to the true reality and prompt them to cogitate deeply on setting up a dual strand for teaching English in schools and colleges in India viz; General English competence for developing the ability to communicate and an Advanced English competence for those interested in higher studies.

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Keywords: Attitude, Competence, Culture, English, Learners.