ERIC Number: EJ1234997
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Dec
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2310-0869
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Desire for English in Youth: An Exploratory Study of Language Learners in a Developing Country
Haidar, Sham; Farrukh, Fizza; Dar, Shazia Riaz
Journal of Education and Educational Development, v6 n2 p288-307 Dec 2019
English being the official language is a source of prestige and necessary for recognition in Pakistan. Research studies usually debate the positive and negative influence of English on students in developing countries. However, the concept of desire attached with acquiring English is a less explored area. The present study attempts to understand the desire of Pakistani students majoring in English, for understanding their meaning-making for selecting English as their major. Using qualitative method, the data were collected through interviews, focus groups and mind-maps of students. The study participants were undergraduate students in a public university in the capital city Islamabad. The data were recorded, transcribed and coded using constructivist grounded theory for obtaining themes. The findings revealed that the youth's association with English language is not just for gaining prestige; rather, they share deeper affiliations with includes a desire for acquiring the native persona, attaining global solidarity and achieving communicative competence. The attached desire with English language and its literature can have positive effect on students' motivation to excel in their studies; however, unrealistic desires can harm students. The findings of the study hence, add to improvement in English language instruction and understanding of desires among the students.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Developing Nations, Second Language Learning, English (Second Language), Communicative Competence (Languages), Language Attitudes, Majors (Students), Undergraduate Students, Social Cognition, Social Influences, Learning Motivation, Global Approach
Institute of Business Management, Department of Education. Korangi Creek, Karachi-75190, Sindh, Pakistan. Tel: +92-21-111-002-004; Fax: +92-21-3509-0968; e-mail: education.journal@obm.edu.pk; Web site: http://journals.iobmresearch.com/index.php/JEED/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pakistan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A