English in Pakistan
By Jamshed Khan • Jun 10th, 2010 • Category: Features • 13 CommentsLet’s face it,English is the bane of the existence of many Pakistani students. But in Pakistan,it is the passport for advancement,it is the official language and it assumes ever greater significance because of the effects of globalisation.But the vast majority of Pakistani students struggle with it.It is not their mother tongue.It doesn’t help matters that a great many of them do not begin studying it until after they have completed their primary education.Pakistan has madrassas,Urdu medium schools,English medium schools and the more exculsive,expensive schools.
In the vast majority of schools,students are taught by teachers whose own linguistic skills are not necessarily up to the mark.The prescribed syllabi leave much to be desired.A student of secondary classes generally studies an English book comprising a few essays and poems.One can forget about being introduced to great works of English literature.Exposure to the English of native speakers is non existent or extremely limited for the typical student.Those who are well heeled can send their kids to expensive private schools.It helps their English but at times makes them forget their Urdu.Ironically,Urdu is seen as a sign of backwardness by some.Some rich kids boast that they dont know Urdu,as if not knowing it is a matter of pride !
For the foreign student,English presents a unique set of challenges with its huge vocubalary and peculiarities of grammar,pronunciation and spelling.Then there are the British and American variants of English.The Pakistani student is taught British English,but on the internet,American English is encountered all too frequently.Making matter worse is the fact that on the internet,one encounters yet another variant of English with slang and swear words.As the young do little serious reading and spend a fair amount of time on the internet,they do not get necessarily get exposed to quality English.
English has become a deeply polarising force in society.It gives those who are good at it a false sense of superiority while it breeds resentment for those who dont get the opportunity to study it properly.
A uniform policy is needed for the teaching of English in the country.Its utility cannot be denied in today’s world.It opens many doors but for the children of the poor many of these doors remain closed because of their inability to speak English.A level playing field is needed.It should be taught right from the beginning of a child’s education.A second language is after all an acquired habit and practice from an early age certainly helps.English was once seen as a colonial legacy. But in today’s globalised world,it should be seen as a valuable tool for the acquisition of knowledge.Those who are not rich should not be denied the opportunity to study it just because of a flawed educational policy.
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English is just a language like any other language but why it has become a reason for discrimination or division among people is beyond my understanding. I believe it has something to do with our intolerance about anything that we so easily label as “Western”.
Jamsheed Khan & Yasir Qadeer would you both believe at American Embassy & at their respective Consulate Generals there is a section existing with their highly trained deputed staff who is very much careful regarding that in Pakistan an Artificial — “Status Symbol”— which has been existing & it is felt Badly — just because of ENGLISH language they collect data from all over Pakistan — through *Pak American Cultural Centers which have been working for decades under these Americans supervision.
*Pak American Cultural Centers = Whereat English Language is being TAUGHT along-with other relevant courses.
Therefore, they are very much concerned that ENHANCEMENT therein or the same is being REDUCED — The major or may say so Point to Ponder Concerned one & only is Quantity of Admissions of the Pakistani Youth.
The required data is not ended here-at. Further this is highly noticeable matter which is pinched to me as an Orthodox Muslim that — These Americans KEENLY OBSERVE how many Pakistanis may be INFLUENCED by Hollywood Movies thereafter Western Music or English Language Literature very specifically “YOUTH” or it supposed over aged/mature Pakistanis have been achieving admission i.e. Bonus is for them such this type of DATA is collected over there thereafter under the light of such data EXTREME MEASURES are taken in different directions.
*Fakhar = Pride
*Hum = Poor & Ignored Pakistanis
*A-T. A. N. = Aab Tu Americans Nay
*False Status Symbol = Jhoota Waqar/Izzat
*MOE = Right Now Americans are seen at our Ministry of Education
*A-T. A. N. *MOE Mein Syllabus Designing Ka Kaam Liya Apnay End Pur-
Pata Nahee - *Hum Qiyoun Nahee - *Fakhar Mehsoos Kurtay Apnsi Zaban Pur-
Angreezi Zaban Ko Bnayia Hoa Hay *False Status Symbol-
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=meera+english&aq=2
It is a fact that variant levels of ELP ((English Language Proficiency) cause more damage than benefit particularly in terms of self-created complexes and ‘void of merit’ induction. Of course, there is a need for standard syllabi for ELT (English Language Teaching) and TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language). SPELT (Society of English Language Teachers) can play a leading role in that direction if government so desire.
Learning/ teaching (SE) Standard English is good, but at the same time, the importance of Urdu and Arabic may not be overlooked.
@Mujahid
Sir, I am happy to note that this wretched nation still can cherish a ray of hope as we are blessed with scholarly persons like your esteemed self.
You are right, I am not a teacher of English language - rather I am just a student and would so remain till death and I bow my head in gratitude to Allah for showing me the humility - but what about you . . .
I don’t know whether it is the acronyms or the mention of Urdu/ Arabic that obliged you to react so roughly.
Dear, I receive with a positive mind what you have commented about me and respect your instant pulse. I also eulogise your accomplishments and charisma. However, I am afraid all my hypercritic praises would not help, particularly on face of your words which are now a public property on TPS and I leave it to other reviewers to comments.
Remember, I will not respond in the same words as yours because I have not learnt it and second if you know Persian language, they say, JAWAB-E-JAHILAN KHAMOSHI BASHAD
With regards and take care.
The author talks about urdu as a language used in the madrassas. Can u really compare education given in madrassas with International quality education. Hate speech is taught in majority of madrassas in Pakistan. Lets face it. In this competitive global world the students need to step up learning of English is they want to progress.
@ TPS Editor
On 10 Jun, Mr Mujahid (S No 4 ante) also included the following words:
“ Nisar Khattak, Kia Bakwas kar rahe hoh … your kids will learn TOE (Teacher of English)”
The above words appeared there till 11 Jun morning and were expunged by TPS only after I recorded a rebuttal (Serial No 5 above). I view it as move to protect the individual from criticism as well as undermine my credibility for my having referred to the words of which the respondent has already been exonerated.
No comfortable with the biased move.
protest
Prof: Sb. If you may allow me on your behalf - I may do this in my own style.
*Jab Say Wakalat Mein Aay = when joined advocacy as profession
*Jab Say Wakalat Mein Aay- Yehi Kaam Subh-o-Sham-
Ghee Seedhi Unglioun Say Na Niklay- Teehra Kurna Mera Kaam-
Thanks to TPS and dear Mansoori Sahib.
I think it is enough for you, Mr Mujahid - please learn to respect others. This is what differentiate you from animals.
Mr Mujahid: dewane ka gunah maaf ho saktha hey lekinn sharabbi ka nahi.
You so-called gentlemen, please don’t come on TPS or steet while drunk as we want clean environment at both the places.
well done eik din yeh bhi hona tha
It is quite obvious that some people are not capable of civilized discussion.
What i dont understand is that English is just english, why do we need to learn the great literature i dont know..
Having been educated both in Pakistan (around 14-15 years ago ) and England, I can say that in Pakistan the emphasis is on grammar whilst in England we look at stories in great detail or what not.. its rubbish.. Its like I remember reading the great expectations by Charles Dicken with my teacher and she would analyse every single thing from every single sentence.. its like if pip did something, there had to be a motive behind i.e. hidden reason which the teacher could see but we couldnt… or maybe i was young and couldnt quiet understand it all…
In any case as long as we can speak & understand English, that should be enough!