ESL assessment in Tamil Nadu

In the present globalized context communication has acquired a greater importance and it poses a tough challenge to teaching and learning of General English. Learners are required to attain a satisfactory linguistic level to cope with the current demand of the job market. Keeping this in focus, the ESL assessment is carried out to find out whether the syllabuses of General English at the University of Madras and the autonomous colleges, which were granted autonomy in 1975 in the state of Tamil Nadu (TN), are effective enough to cater to the needs of learners. The findings of the study suggest the need for continuous innovation in the field of syllabus design of General English to make them meaningful and relevant to the contemporary demands.