Linguistic imperialism and its effects on the learning of English language
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Date
2013
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University of Management and Technology
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of Linguistic Imperialism in the language learning process of the undergraduate level students .Due to these effects the language abilities of the Pakistani students are poor, despite the fact that English language is taught to them for more than eight years when they reach the graduate level they are still unable to use English language for all the skills :reading writing ,speaking and listening .The current study finds out whether English teaching and learning takes place in the influence of the Linguistic Imperialism or not and to what extent it is harming the learning and teaching of the language.RobertPhillipson’s(1992) theory of Linguistic Imperialism and its fallacies provided the theoretical framework for this research work.
The data was gathered from teachers and students of the Lang 110 classes from Forman Christian College.These are specially formed classes for students in the under graduate with the language problems. After being put though the unique syllabus which is a mixture of local and foreign literature and staff also, the students undertake the lang110 test and pass it to become the formally undergraduate students of the college. With the application of both qualitative and quantitative methods the data was analyzes .The data revealed that the students had been taught in the light and fallacies of linguistic imperialism up till the graduate level. In the lang110 class they had felt, after being exposed to both local and native teachers and literature that it is just a myth and learning of the language is possible in their own familiar context. Thematerial, used to teach the language, is either too old or foreign to be comprehended by the local learners .It has not helped them to learn the language. neither has the old approach of grammar rote learning method has helped the students to enhance their skills .The literature should be helping learners to learn the speaking ,reading ,writing and listening ability. It should be easy to comprehend by the learner. Moreover, the students need to know about the local culture and its importance for the learning of the language skills .The students and the teachers were found to accept that the local teachers and local literature is equally effective for the learning of the language.
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M.Phil Thesis, English Language and Literature