An Analysis of Struggles Faced by Students Studied in Tamil Medium to Cape up College Education and Means to Overcome it with Specific Reference to SOEL
Author : N Sathiyapriya and Dr. S Maruthavijayan
Abstract :
This research paper focuses on analyzing the struggles faced by students who completed their schooling in the Tamil medium and now pursue higher education in English-medium institutions, with specific reference to the School of Excellence in Law (SOEL), Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University. The transition from Tamil to English as the primary medium of instruction often poses significant academic, psychological, and social challenges for these students. The study explores the major difficulties experienced in areas such as understanding lectures, writing assignments, participating in discussions, and coping with peer competition. Many Tamil-medium students face language barriers that lead to reduced self-confidence, classroom anxiety, and a sense of inferiority compared to their English-medium peers. The paper adopts a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data collected through structured questionnaires and qualitative insights from interviews with Tamil-medium students. The findings reveal that a lack of language proficiency and inadequate institutional support are the primary causes of poor adaptation and performance. However, the study also identifies several positive coping mechanisms, including peer group support, faculty mentorship, and remedial English training programs that help bridge the communication gap. The research highlights the importance of inclusive educational strategies, such as bilingual teaching methods, language support centers, and skill development workshops, to ensure that Tamil-medium students are not academically or socially disadvantaged. Ultimately, this study aims to provide practical recommendations for educational policymakers and institutions like SOEL to create a more equitable learning environment for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Keywords :
Tamil-medium students, language barrier, higher education, academic adaptation, coping strategies, bilingual education, communication skills, psychological challenges.
