Trends, issues and challenges in English language education in Pakistan

This paper aims to critically examine the trends, issues and challenges in policy and practice of English language education in Pakistan. This is done first by historically reviewing the English language education policies since Pakistan's independence in 1947, looking particularly at policy ob...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asia Pacific journal of education 2008-09, Vol.28 (3), p.235-249
Main Author: Shamim, Fauzia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biliteracy
Change Agents
Educational Change
Educational Environment
Educational Policy
Educational Trends
English (Second Language)
English-medium education
Foreign Countries
Global Approach
Illiteracy
language education policy
Language of Instruction
multiliteracy
Pakistan
policy implementation
post-colonial countries
Second Language Instruction
Second Language Learning
Strategic Planning
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Summary:This paper aims to critically examine the trends, issues and challenges in policy and practice of English language education in Pakistan. This is done first by historically reviewing the English language education policies since Pakistan's independence in 1947, looking particularly at policy objectives, implementation strategies and outcomes, and the rationale for policy change. Second, the practice of teaching English in varied instructional settings is described. It is found that implementation lags far behind the major policy change in 1989 for "democratising" English. Furthermore, the consequences of using English as the medium of instruction are discussed in the light of recent policy advisories about using English for teaching science and mathematics from Grade 6 onwards in all Pakistani schools. Other issues and challenges in implementing the policy of mass literacy in English are also highlighted. It is argued that while policy decisions are driven mainly by global change forces, strategic planning for implementation that is informed by local conditions and exigencies is necessary for successful policy implementation. Otherwise, recent policy changes in Pakistan may be in danger of leading to widespread illiteracy, rather than literacy, in general but particularly in English.
ISSN:0218-8791
1742-6855
DOI:10.1080/02188790802267324