Bilingual Education and the Khamties of Assam

Bilingual education involves teaching academic contents in two language, in a native and secondary language with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the programme model. Bilingual education refers to the utilization of two languages as means of instruction for students and considered part of the entire school curriculum. It is the pathway to bilingualism, which is the goal of understanding a second or foreign language. Bilingualism provides provides a multidimensional view of language learning that contains five categories, individual, societal, family, school and disciplinary. Not only does bilingualism introduce new linguistics, but it gives a perspective on cultural diversity. This allows intercultural communication which can lead to an increase in globalization and harmony among the universe. Khamti is major tribal community of Assam. They are basically living in the districts of upper Assam. They have own distinctive language, culture and tradition. Their language is minor in compare with the other major tribal groups of Assam such Mising, Bodo, Kachari etc. Bilingual education of Khamti language will definitely enhance the community’s language, culture, and their identity. This paper is an attempt to trace the possibilities of bilingual education of the Khamti language with the help of both the primary and secondary sources.