Kaliachak, India’s English heartland: Where every home becomes a classroom

On the banks of the Ganga, in Malda’s Kaliachak, the hum of classrooms often blends with the rustle of mango leaves.

This is not just another village in West Bengal. It is a place where English has become more than a language. It is a livelihood, an identity, and for many, a passport to the wider world.

In Kaliachak, English lessons echo through lanes lined with modest homes. Teenagers fine-tune grammar rules for online classes, while grandparents patiently guide local students in conversational practice.

What makes the scene striking is that nearly every household has someone who teaches, learns, or lives through English. Locals often call it “the English Teachers’ Village.”

This reputation did not emerge overnight. It took decades of persistence, the setting up of schools, and the collective determination of families to shape the culture.

Today, institutions like Faizi Academy and Tarbiyah Public School ensure that young learners study everything from Shakespearean drama to basic conversation.

Beyond schools, small language institutes flourish, such as Phoenix Spoken English Institute and Nirmal English Tutor Malda, where students prepare for competitive exams, overseas education, and career opportunities.

Many families even run tutoring centers of their own, often passing the vocation from one generation to another.

The reach of Kaliachak’s teachers extends far beyond the village itself. Hundreds now work across India and abroad, from bustling metros like Delhi and Mumbai to online platforms that connect them with learners in other countries. For many, English has opened doors their ancestors could never have imagined.

The culture surrounding teaching here is deeply rooted in daily life. Parents encourage children to practice English at home.

Community events often include speeches, debates, or storytelling contests. Even in the local markets, vendors slip English phrases into conversations, turning trade into casual lessons.

Higher education has also grown in the village. Kaliachak College and teacher training institutes continue to nurture educators who are not only skilled in the language but also trained to inspire.

Students from nearby districts come here to study, drawn by its reputation for strong English instruction.

The results ripple outward. Better teachers produce confident students who go on to earn scholarships, secure jobs, and pursue opportunities across India and beyond.

Yet, Kaliachak is not defined by classrooms alone. Its economy thrives on mangoes, litchis, and small businesses in silk and jute.

Agriculture remains central, but it exists side by side with the thriving culture of teaching. This balance has given the village both stability and pride.

If Madhopatti in Uttar Pradesh is celebrated for producing engineers, and Gharivali in Maharashtra is known for its doctors, Kaliachak has earned recognition as India’s village of English teachers.

Here, words are more than lessons. They are opportunities, connections, and sometimes, dreams fulfilled.

Amid mango orchards and quiet dusty paths, English has become Kaliachak’s most remarkable export. And in this small corner of Malda, the world is beginning to listen.