Reimagining English Language Teaching under the New Education Policy: Challenges, Opportunities, and Pedagogical Transformations

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has ushered in many changes in the Indian education system, focusing on learner-centred pedagogy, multilingualism, experiential learning, and skill-based education. They have paved the way for rethinking English Language Teaching (ELT) and especially the use of literature as an instrument of teaching and learning. This paper reviews how literature has played a crucial role in revolutionizing the English language education under the umbrella of NEP 2020. It examines the role of literary texts (novels, poetry, drama and short stories) in language learning, communicative competence, critical thinking, creativity and cultural awareness. The study also examines how pedagogy in the textbooks is aligned with the main principles of NEP 2020 such as student engagement and interdisciplinary education, and holistic learning. The results show that literary texts not only offer meaningful contexts for language learning, but also facilitate interactive, reflective and experiential classroom practices. Meanwhile, the paper points out the main obstacles to the NEP orientation in literature teaching, such as exam-oriented teaching, teacher training deficiencies, the multi-lingual problems of the classroom, the digital gap and the fixed curriculum. The findings of this study reveal that literature is still a powerful tool for the development of linguistic, intellectual and cultural aspect. Implementing NEP-driven reforms will, however, not be possible without: Continuing teacher training, Flexibility in the Curriculum, Assessment reform and Institutional support to make English classes inclusive and communicative.