Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of Project Based Learning (PBL) in comparison to the prevailing English language pedagogy. Design/methodology/approach – The pre-test/post-test experimental design with one control and one treatment group was used to complete the study that was carried out for 12 weeks. In all, 140 female students enrolled in Grade-XI at a public college in Karachi, Pakistan, were randomly divided into the two groups to compare the traditional pedagogy with the proposed PBL method. The participants in the experiment and control groups were taught the same prescribed curriculum using the PBL and traditional pedagogy, respectively. Findings – The study shows PBL to be a better instructional method as compared to the existing traditional pedagogy for teaching compulsory English at public colleges. The participants in the experiment group who were taught through PBL performed better on different curriculum areas as established through the pre- and post-test scores; and they were also found better motivated towards the English course. The data analyses and interpretation suggests that PBL can easily replace the conventional pedagogy and can improve compulsory English teaching – learning practices and outcomes at public colleges in Pakistan. Research limitations/implications – One major limitation was that the PBL methodology was to focus around the curriculum content; and, finally, assess students on the lines as they need preparation for the state-held end of year examinations which serve as the qualification for admission to undergraduate study at universities. The present study was carried out at just one institution comprising female only population; hence the results need validation at other institutions having male or mixed populations. The study cultivated a culture among language teachers for experimenting with different pedagogies, consequently, alongside PBL other language pedagogies may be tried to improve teaching- and learning of compulsory English. The study demonstrated that there is an interest in teachers and learners both for improving current practices and culture. Also, the required resources and that enable this desired change are available within the existing academic set up. Practical implications – This study attempts to solve a serious problem faced by teachers and learners pursuing English course at colleges. It tests out a pedagogy that teachers may adopt within the existing setups. Social implications – The students graduating from tertiary education institutes in Pakistan desperately need good language and communication skills for further education and career. Due to ineffective language teaching, these students are unable to develop the needed language skills, and consequently miss out on different opportunities. Originality/value – This paper is among the foremost experimental study undertaken to reform language teaching at public colleges in Pakistan. It proposes a practical solution to replace the traditional pedagogy and enables teachers and students to engage in teaching learning of English more meaningfully.
From sociolinguistic or anthropological perspective, Pakistan is classified as a multilingual context with most people speaking one native or regional language alongside Urdu which is the national language. With respect to English, Pakistan is a second language context which implies that the language is institutionalized and enjoying the privileged status of being the official language. This thematic paper is an attempt to review the arrival and augmentation of English language in Pakistan both before and after its creation. The chronological description is carried out in order to identify the consequences of this spread and to link them with possible future developments and implications. Some key themes covered in the paper include a brief historical overview of English language from how it was introduced to the manner in which it has developed over the years especially in relation to various language and educational policies. Based on the critical review of the literature presented in the paper there seems to be no threat to English in Pakistan a prediction true for the language globally as well. The status of English, as it globally elevates, will continue spreading and prospering in Pakistan as well enriching the Pakistani English variety that has already born and is being studied and codified. However, this process may take long due to the instability of governing policies and law-makers. A serious concern for researchers and people in general, however, will continue being the endangered and indigenous varieties that may continue being under considerable pressure from the prestigious varieties.
Pakistan enjoys pivotal position among energy-rich Central Asian States and Gulf countries. Export Promotion Zones (EPZs) are playing important role in the economic development of countries since the formation of these zones. In Pakistan, Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) was established in 1980. Comparative research studies and reports in literature depict that economic share of EPZs of Pakistan is not much impressive and its economic share in the country lags behind neighboring countries. EPZA hence is faced with external factors like devaluation of rupee, euro country crisis, foreign investors' retention and attraction in Pakistan but this study aims to analyze internal factors or impediments that have a direct impact on foreign investment. Data was collected through survey questionnaire from respondents (n=480). Data was analyzed using SPSS (11.5 Version). Regression results identify work environment, bhatta culture, high inflation, political instability, inadequate skill enhancement, inadequate training and infrastructural facilities as major impediments for EPZ development in Pakistan. Thus, this study concludes that positive work environment, political stability and security, adequate infrastructural facilities, appropriate location of industrial units, upgradation of workers skill, provision of training, overcoming the bhatta culture and stable inflation will help boosting the development and performance of export promotion zones of Pakistan.
This study investigated the influence of trait emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy (SE) on English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers’ effectiveness (TE). The study also explored the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy in augmenting the relationship between trait EI and teacher effectiveness. We adopted a quantitative survey design involving both public and private sector higher education institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. The participants ( N = 243 ESL teachers) were selected via convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS3 software. Analysis through standard bootstrapping procedure resulted in direct and indirect (mediation analysis) path coefficients. Trait EI predicted ESL teachers’ effectiveness and self-efficacy. However, teacher self-efficacy was found to be more important as it revealed a larger effect on teacher effectiveness than trait EI and also mediated the relationship between trait EI and teacher effectiveness. The findings support previous research that positions emotional intelligence at the core of teaching effectiveness and has highlighted the predominant role that self-efficacy can play in strengthening this relationship. This study is significant as it underscored the importance of trait EI and self-efficacy in facilitating teacher effectiveness at the tertiary level. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Universities in Pakistan offer Chinese language courses to prepare students for ample employment-related opportunities in Pak-China projects, Chinese university scholarships, learner exchanges and mobility programmes. This article provides an interpretive policy analysis, focused on comparing the interpretations of policymakers and foreign language students concerning the aims and implementation of a mandatory Chinese language learning policy introduced at a major public engineering university in Pakistan. The findings reveal that while most aims stated in the policy artefacts match the stakeholders’ interpretations of the policy aims, the students’ interpretations differed slightly regarding policy implementation, mainly concerning the medium of instruction and class size, affecting student motivation and levels of learning. The article discusses to what extent such a policy entails implementation challenges.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.