L2 motivation is considerably important factor which may influence the learning process and achie... more L2 motivation is considerably important factor which may influence the learning process and achievement (Gardner and Lambert, 1972; Oxford, 1996; Lasagabaster, 2011). This small-scale study focuses on potential differences that may prevail in language learning motivation based on gender particularly in the context of Sindh, Pakistan (Hashwani, 2008). This study used the quantitative approach to inquire the gender differences in the motivation level. The data was collected through a questionnaire, an adapted model of Attitude Motivation Test Battery (AMTB), from 103 participants - males (N=51) and females (N=52). The study used independent samples t-test in order to test the gender differences. Results of this study showed no gender differences in the motivational level of male and female English language learners.
This study examines the impact of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on the gr... more This study examines the impact of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on the growth of private English language institutes offering preparation for IELTS in Pakistan. In Pakistan, as elsewhere, IELTS has assumed great significance on account of its gate-keeping function in emigration, higher education abroad and professional registration. There is a growth in IELTS candidature, resulting in an expansion of IELTS preparation courses. The current study conducts a qualitative face-to-face survey of 35 IELTS preparation institutes of Pakistan. The results of survey showed a radical expansion of IELTS preparation courses. Courses, although relatively expensive, are very short and most test-preparers enter them with lower English proficiency than is appropriate for IELTS. We argue that because public education is not meeting the demand for English, IELTS is now perceived as a route of English education and general certification, and a badge of middle class status if not ...
1.IntroductionThe IELTS is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for... more 1.IntroductionThe IELTS is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for nonnative English language speakers (IELTS, 2001, p.2). IELTS measures both academic and general English language proficiency, and therefore consists of both an 'Academic' and a 'General Training' module, each with four components: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Students who take the IELTS are scored in bands from 0-9 (non-user to expert user). Of all the internationally acclaimed English language proficiency tests (such as Test Of English as a Foreign Language, Test Of English for International Communication and so on) IELTS enjoys a high status as one of the most widely taken international English language proficiency tests as it is accepted by tertiary institutions, immigration authorities and professional associations around the world (Coley, 1999; Davies, 2008; Green, 2006; Hyatt and Brooks, 2009; Merrifield, 2012; Merrylees, 2003; and O'Loughlin, 20...
In Social Sciences, interviews are an important technique for collecting data as they deal with m... more In Social Sciences, interviews are an important technique for collecting data as they deal with meanings, whereas quantitative data deals with numbers (Dornyei, 2007). As, interviews focus on meanings attributed to this by individuals so, it becomes a matter of high importance to address the question of how do we conceptualize those meanings (Rose 1994) and also how reliable these findings are. Although, these are important issues, many studies give relatively less value to them. This paper is an attempt to demonstrate applicability of Maykut and Morehouse’s (1994) ‘Constant Comparative Method’ as one technique to analyze interviews. It also proposes some useful ways to establish reliability in data. This is aimed to help researchers in social sciences to use it to deal with qualitative data.
Genre and genre analysis are considered to be important constituents of Discourse Analysis. This ... more Genre and genre analysis are considered to be important constituents of Discourse Analysis. This paper presents the results of the genre analysis and move structure in a corpus of letters to editors from three leading English newspapers of Pakistan, The Dawn, The Nation and Daily Times. It was observed in the analysis that the letters to the editor normally contain six moves having different steps in each move. The first move tends to have heading and salutation in it and the last carries personal details of the writer such as name and the address. The moves in the middle usually have reference, response, narration of the incident or statement of the problem, presentation of facts and figures, argument for or against the notion and suggestion or opinion. It is also found that some of the letters have some minor variations in their steps, which are presented using A, B and C options. It is hoped that with this analysis of move structure of letters to editors, the result of the curren...
Research in second language reading has demonstrated that positive reading attitudes are very cru... more Research in second language reading has demonstrated that positive reading attitudes are very crucial in motivating a reader to engage in meaningful reading practices. The exploration of such findings is very limited in the context of Sindh, Pakistan. Learners in Sindh, Pakistan’s rural and urban areas experience life quality generally and reading resources and motivation very differently. This study explored a very basic question of the differences between the reading attitudes of learners from both areas. The findings suggest wide differences between the reading attitudes of rural and urban learners. An understanding of their reading attitudes leads one to devise ways for inculcating or reinforcing positive reading attitudes in further studies.
This qualitative study employs Communities of Practice (Lave& Wenger, 1991) framework to map out ... more This qualitative study employs Communities of Practice (Lave& Wenger, 1991) framework to map out how female learner identity is built and negotiated within Post-colonial Pakistan. The study traces out the ongoing identity struggles of young Pakistani female ESL learners at The Institute of English Language and Literature (IELL), University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan, from a broadly poststructuralist perspective .Data analysis and interpretation were guided by CoPframework which views learner as essentially part and parcel of the learning environment within which learning takes places. The data revealed a complex picture of Female English Language Learner Identity (FELLI), as diverse subject positions emerged while the participants developed a sense of alignment with different CoP and displaying acts of resistance to counter discrimination. Higher education appeared as a site of identity negotiation and transition into new CoP for the participants. The participants demonstrated sig...
L2 motivation is considerably important factor which may influence the learning process and achie... more L2 motivation is considerably important factor which may influence the learning process and achievement (Gardner and Lambert, 1972; Oxford, 1996; Lasagabaster, 2011). This small-scale study focuses on potential differences that may prevail in language learning motivation based on gender particularly in the context of Sindh, Pakistan (Hashwani, 2008). This study used the quantitative approach to inquire the gender differences in the motivation level. The data was collected through a questionnaire, an adapted model of Attitude Motivation Test Battery (AMTB), from 103 participants - males (N=51) and females (N=52). The study used independent samples t-test in order to test the gender differences. Results of this study showed no gender differences in the motivational level of male and female English language learners.
This study examines the impact of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on the gr... more This study examines the impact of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on the growth of private English language institutes offering preparation for IELTS in Pakistan. In Pakistan, as elsewhere, IELTS has assumed great significance on account of its gate-keeping function in emigration, higher education abroad and professional registration. There is a growth in IELTS candidature, resulting in an expansion of IELTS preparation courses. The current study conducts a qualitative face-to-face survey of 35 IELTS preparation institutes of Pakistan. The results of survey showed a radical expansion of IELTS preparation courses. Courses, although relatively expensive, are very short and most test-preparers enter them with lower English proficiency than is appropriate for IELTS. We argue that because public education is not meeting the demand for English, IELTS is now perceived as a route of English education and general certification, and a badge of middle class status if not ...
1.IntroductionThe IELTS is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for... more 1.IntroductionThe IELTS is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for nonnative English language speakers (IELTS, 2001, p.2). IELTS measures both academic and general English language proficiency, and therefore consists of both an 'Academic' and a 'General Training' module, each with four components: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Students who take the IELTS are scored in bands from 0-9 (non-user to expert user). Of all the internationally acclaimed English language proficiency tests (such as Test Of English as a Foreign Language, Test Of English for International Communication and so on) IELTS enjoys a high status as one of the most widely taken international English language proficiency tests as it is accepted by tertiary institutions, immigration authorities and professional associations around the world (Coley, 1999; Davies, 2008; Green, 2006; Hyatt and Brooks, 2009; Merrifield, 2012; Merrylees, 2003; and O'Loughlin, 20...
In Social Sciences, interviews are an important technique for collecting data as they deal with m... more In Social Sciences, interviews are an important technique for collecting data as they deal with meanings, whereas quantitative data deals with numbers (Dornyei, 2007). As, interviews focus on meanings attributed to this by individuals so, it becomes a matter of high importance to address the question of how do we conceptualize those meanings (Rose 1994) and also how reliable these findings are. Although, these are important issues, many studies give relatively less value to them. This paper is an attempt to demonstrate applicability of Maykut and Morehouse’s (1994) ‘Constant Comparative Method’ as one technique to analyze interviews. It also proposes some useful ways to establish reliability in data. This is aimed to help researchers in social sciences to use it to deal with qualitative data.
Genre and genre analysis are considered to be important constituents of Discourse Analysis. This ... more Genre and genre analysis are considered to be important constituents of Discourse Analysis. This paper presents the results of the genre analysis and move structure in a corpus of letters to editors from three leading English newspapers of Pakistan, The Dawn, The Nation and Daily Times. It was observed in the analysis that the letters to the editor normally contain six moves having different steps in each move. The first move tends to have heading and salutation in it and the last carries personal details of the writer such as name and the address. The moves in the middle usually have reference, response, narration of the incident or statement of the problem, presentation of facts and figures, argument for or against the notion and suggestion or opinion. It is also found that some of the letters have some minor variations in their steps, which are presented using A, B and C options. It is hoped that with this analysis of move structure of letters to editors, the result of the curren...
Research in second language reading has demonstrated that positive reading attitudes are very cru... more Research in second language reading has demonstrated that positive reading attitudes are very crucial in motivating a reader to engage in meaningful reading practices. The exploration of such findings is very limited in the context of Sindh, Pakistan. Learners in Sindh, Pakistan’s rural and urban areas experience life quality generally and reading resources and motivation very differently. This study explored a very basic question of the differences between the reading attitudes of learners from both areas. The findings suggest wide differences between the reading attitudes of rural and urban learners. An understanding of their reading attitudes leads one to devise ways for inculcating or reinforcing positive reading attitudes in further studies.
This qualitative study employs Communities of Practice (Lave& Wenger, 1991) framework to map out ... more This qualitative study employs Communities of Practice (Lave& Wenger, 1991) framework to map out how female learner identity is built and negotiated within Post-colonial Pakistan. The study traces out the ongoing identity struggles of young Pakistani female ESL learners at The Institute of English Language and Literature (IELL), University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan, from a broadly poststructuralist perspective .Data analysis and interpretation were guided by CoPframework which views learner as essentially part and parcel of the learning environment within which learning takes places. The data revealed a complex picture of Female English Language Learner Identity (FELLI), as diverse subject positions emerged while the participants developed a sense of alignment with different CoP and displaying acts of resistance to counter discrimination. Higher education appeared as a site of identity negotiation and transition into new CoP for the participants. The participants demonstrated sig...
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