Yes, to "get the message across". Not stammer/stutter/collapse when asked to speak on anything. The same things that are expected routinely these days, whether it is a "group discussion" which is part of a job interview, or just a face-to-face interview itself.

Also, the comment by others was about "use of English becoming fashionable", and NOT use of "fashionable English". Huge difference between the two. Every other good Indian school insist on use of English between students, that is not a fad. It is a valid requirement, and a necessity of the times we live in.

Not sure how other nationals get judged/hired, but the people from the sub-continent have to face these realities time and again in their future. It is common knowledge that English skills are one reason why Indians are preferred over *some* of these nationalities, not only in this part of the world, but in other parts too.

And let us not forget at all, that English is just a part of the equation.
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