Language Preferences, Attitudes and Practices: A Pakistani Higher Education Perspective
Main Article Content
Abstract
Pakistan is a multilingual country where the language trend has a significant impact on language policies implemented at the higher educational level. It has always been difficult in Pakistan to decide which language will be used as the primary language of instruction at the higher educational level as there is always a choice between Urdu, English, and regional languages. The research aims to identify the language attitudes of teaching staff toward multilingualism at the higher educational levels, while considering the practices of the institution members, including the teaching staff and management, in order to comprehend the effects of a language policy on a particular academic community. Hence this research probes into the variables that the teachers associate with the notion of languages and multilingualism in higher education. The research conducts a survey in three undergraduate degree awarding institutes. The survey takes a sample of 50 teachers and their responses to the questionnaire in addition to 9 members of the administration who are interviewed so as to find out their views regarding language policy and its implementation on the premises of their institutes. The research study helps in revealing the ideologies of the members involved in the process of higher education, and also the importance for teachers and administration to be aware of the outcomes of implementing Urdu, English, or both at the undergraduate level in Pakistan.
Article Details
References
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The Lahore Journal of Economics, (8) 2, 17-42
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Retrieved from: http://www.urdustudies.com/pdf/17/11_Rahman.pdf
Rahman, T. (2002).Language, Ideology and Power: Language-Learning among
theMuslims of Pakistan and North India. Oxford University Press
Rahman, T. (1997). The Medium of Instruction Controversy in Pakistan, Journal of
Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 18 (2), 145-154, DOI: 10.1080/01434639708666310
Rahman, T. (2001) English-Teaching Institutions in Pakistan, Journal of Multilingual
and Multicultural Development, 22 (3), 242-261, DOI: 10.1080/01434630108666435
Ammar, A., Ali, N., Fawad, A., Qasim, K. (2015). Language Policy and Medium of
Instruction Issue in Pakistan.ActaLinguisticaAsiatica, 5(1), 111-123. DOI: 10.4312/ala.5.1.111-124
Cenoz, J., &Gorter, D. (Issue Eds.). (2011). A Holistic Approach in Multilingual
Education: Introduction. Special issue: Toward a Multilingual Approach in the Study of Multilingualism in School Contexts. The Modern Language Journal, 95, (3), 339-343. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4781.2011.01204.x
Cooper, R. L. (1989) Language Planning and Social Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Dil, A (1963) Pakistani Linguistics(1962). Linguistics Research Group of Pakistan.
Kennedy, C. (n.d) Challenges for language policy, language and development. Retrieved from
www.britishcouncil.org on 1st Feb 2014.
Lea, M.R., & Street, B.V. (2006). The "Academic Literacies" Model: Theory and
Applications.Theory into Practice, 45(4), 368-377. College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University.
Mansoor, S. (2004). The Status and Role of Regional Languages in Higher Education in
Pakistan, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 25 (4), 333-353, DOI: 10.1080/01434630408666536
Mansoor, S. (2005). Language Planning and Higher Education: A Case Study of
Pakistan. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mansoor, S. (n.d.) Language Planning in Higher Education. Issues of Access and Equity.
The Lahore Journal of Economics, (8) 2, 17-42
Rahman, T. (1998).Language-Teaching Policies in Pakistan.Research Report Series # 14. A
publication of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Retrieved from: https://www.sdpi.org/.../R14-Language-Teaching%20Policies%20in%20Pakistan.pdf
Rahman, T. (1999).Government Policies and the Politics of the Teaching of Urdu in Pakistan.
Retrieved from: http://www.urdustudies.com/pdf/17/11_Rahman.pdf
Rahman, T. (2002).Language, Ideology and Power: Language-Learning among
theMuslims of Pakistan and North India. Oxford University Press
Rahman, T. (1997). The Medium of Instruction Controversy in Pakistan, Journal of
Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 18 (2), 145-154, DOI: 10.1080/01434639708666310
Rahman, T. (2001) English-Teaching Institutions in Pakistan, Journal of Multilingual
and Multicultural Development, 22 (3), 242-261, DOI: 10.1080/01434630108666435