1st M.

Phil Seminar In
English Applied Linguistics
Language in Education policy: Perceptions
about English, Sindhi and Urdu language
instruction in higher education.
A study in Pakistani context.
SUPERVISOR:
Dr. Ambreen Shahriar
Assistant Professor, IELL, University of Sindh, Jamshoro
RESEARCHER:
Sadia Memon
Lecturer, English, Mehran University, Jamshoro.

Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Conclusion

1.1 Introduction
Language in Education policy
It means language(s) being used for purposes of
teaching and learning in all academics and
instructional settings.
The current position of education is that every parent
wants his/her child to get education in English.

 The issue of the medium of instruction is very

complex, hence problematic in countries where
there is a bilingual and multilingual society.
Generally, the language of "the powers that be"
along with the official syllabi becomes the medium
and content of instruction.
A language is what we think in, and of course, what
exactly we think. Hence, the problem of "language
policy in Education" is very much connected with
the power structure of any society.

1.2 Problem of the study

To explore the views of parents, teachers and
students about official language in education policy
in higher education in Mehran University of
Engineering and Technology, LUMHS (Liaquat
University of Medical and Health Sciences), and
Sindh University.

1.3 Scope of the study

1.1 The problem is the need to grow awareness to save
mother tongue or local languages.
1.2 Common people and learners are not aware of
importance of mother tongue, linguistic diversity and
linguistic rights.
1.3 The current position of education is that every
parent wants his/her child to get education in English.

1.4 At tertiary level English is compulsory subject at

the undergraduate level, (BA/ BSC). But due to
inappropriate syllabus and literature in books of
functional English and lack of teachers proficiency or
teacher training has make it difficult for students to
cover the subject.

1.4 Aims of the study

1.1 The study will take place in Southern Universities
of Sindh.
1.2 It aims to contribute to the importance of medium
of instruction in higher education.
1.3 It provides reasons about lack of awareness about
local language issues.

Aims of the study

1.4 It identifies learners and parents perception
regarding medium of instructions in Higher Education.
1.5 It also presents the rational study as how state
controls its power through language mostly in
education.

1.5 Research Questions

The research questions which guide the study are:
Q.1 What real actors like teachers and students know
about language in education policy in instructional
settings?
Q.2 What are their views regarding teaching and
learning in English language in higher education?
Q.3 What are the perceptions of Parents regarding
medium of instruction?

2.1 Literature Review

In the declaration of Education for all, signed by
more than 150 nations, including Pakistan, a
pertinent question asked by Brock-Utne was:
Education for allin whose language?" BrockUtne argues, rightly in my view, that, the concept
education for all becomes a completely empty
concept if the linguistic environment of the basic
learners is not taken into account.' (2000:141).

 The issue of the medium of instruction is very

complex, hence problematic in countries where
there is a bilingual and multilingual society.
A language is what we think in, and of course, what
exactly we think. So the problem of "language
policy in Education" is very much connected with
the power structure of any society.
The education sector, according to Kaplan and
Baldauf (1997) has to take number of language
policy and planning decisions:
a) To determine which language(s) will be taught
within the curriculum.

b) To define the teacher supply, that is the teachers

language proficiency in given language(s) in
curriculum.
c) To define the assessment processes that will be used
for selection and placement of students and formative
and summative testing.

2.2 Background of the study

2.2 Issue of medium of instruction in Higher
education in Sindh
Sindhi has remained an official and court language
before and during British period and continues as
such in Sindhi, to date.
Here in Sindh, the education at primary level in
government schools is largely in native language.
At tertiary levels (i.e. colleges and universities) the
medium of instruction is ENGLISH.

 As the students usually cant manage to handle the

problem of medium of instruction at secondary level
due to the lack of atmosphere as well as of
competence of the institutions, the face this problem
at mega level in universities.
English language is obstacle for majority of Sindhi
students
This barrier kills most of their capabilities and
pushes them to adopt some shortcut measures i.e.
cramming, plagiarism etc.

3.1 METHODOLOGY
A qualitative research approach will be adopted for
this study.
Qualitative approaches identify the role of the
researcher as actively engaged in the making of
meaning from the text or with the subject under
study
My research is connected with understanding of social
issue regarding language selection in higher education
in bilingual situation. So this study has attempted to
explicitly adopt a qualitative approach to research
methodology. It tries to gain information about

My research is connected with understanding of social issue regarding

language selection in higher education in bilingual situation. So this
study has attempted to explicitly adopt a qualitative approach to
research methodology. It tries to gain information about language
choices from respondents.
Exploratory Method
In this study, an exploratory method was selected by researcher to gain new insights,
discover new ideas and/or increase knowledge of experience about the value given to
languages in our society. The topic selected was with curiosity of not knowing and to
gain knowledge about views of participants regarding language in higher education
sector

 Participants
The participants are the real actors involved in
teaching and learning. Students perceptions about
which languages are effective for learners in
instructional settings and classroom. Teachers,
parents and students of three different universities.
Questionnaire as an instrument of data collection

Questionnaires were used as the method of data

collection for this study.
Semi-structured questionnaires will be conducted
from participants to gain insights.

4.1 Data Analysis

Content analysis

Content analysis is a research tool for evaluation

that focuses on the actual content like the text of the
questionnaires taken.
The text is coded or broken down, into manageable
categories on a variety of levels--word, word sense,
phrase, sentence, or theme--and then examined
using one of content analysis basic methods:
conceptual analysis or relational analysis. according
to the participants responses.

5.1 Conclusion
The essential purpose of this study is to explore the
views of teachers, learners and parents regarding
medium of instruction in higher education in Sindh.
In this regard research questions will be analyzed.
The research questions are same as given.