The prediction comes as India tries to tackle huge skill gaps (just 2% of India’s workforce has had formal job training) and an increasingly young population in need of jobs—almost half its 1.2 billion population is under the age of 25.

While English is the second official language – credited for being a “binding force that cuts across a vast country separated by provincial, community and religious barriers” as well integral to employability – only an eighth of the country has had any training in it.

Over all the ELT market is expected to grow from US$2.75 billion in 2012 to US$4.65 billion in 2015

“If the quality of English improves, it will lead to an improvement in the overall quality of education which in turn will lead to improvement of individual skill set and enhancement of employability potential,” the report states.

The study, carried out by iValue Consulting Private Limited, focused on various business and state sectors in 22 Indian cities, all of which said English was vital for raising skills in the workforce. To meet their demands, the report claims, the ELT market will grow from US$2.75 billion in 2012 to US$4.65 billion in 2015.

English for VET will be a priority, due to high school drop-out rates and skill shortages – and is predicted to climb from US$1 billion today (around 37% of the market) to $1.5 billion in 2015. The coaching sector (which includes a broad range of skills and subject tuition, plus test preparation) and  K-12 sector, will also be important — they currently hold 33% and 21% market shares respectively.

Speaking with The PIE News, Rajendra Darda, cabinet minister for education in Maharashtra – the second most populous of India’s 28 states and the wealthiest – says the government has been successful in making education compulsory for children, but higher English standards are needed.

“India has understood one thing, that it is going to be a country of young people. So these youngsters should receive a great education. We found that we’re good at other subjects but when it comes to English it requires some brushing up and better skills.

“India has understood one thing, that it is going to be a country of young people”

“VET is also very important because just studying and getting a certificate is no use unless you come out with at least one skill and the government of India is giving a lot of importance to the national skill policy,” he said.

Indicating the need for quality foreign providers, the study claims English teaching in India currently leaves much to be desired. There is a shortage of English language teachers in schools and colleges and poor standards of teaching and research. The ELT market is also unregulated, meaning teaching standards and pricing varies greatly.

As the country looks to provide the world with skilled manpower, there is also an increasing need for the government to set up globally recognised standards and assessment protocols in English, the report says.

However, the report warns that poor regulation has led to a “mushrooming of language coaching institutes across the country” that charge very low fees and could be competition for foreign providers.