Indigenous Language Speakers' Perception of their Proficiency in Written English and their Actual Proficiency

Abstract

The main objective of this qualitative study was to explore the perception of indigenous language speakers' written proficiency in English. Being a qualitative case study, the research focused on the students representing the four indigenous language groups: Balti, Burushaski, Khowar, and Shina, studying at the University of Karachi.The data for the study were gathered from 100 students representing the four indigenous language groups who were asked to judge their proficiency in English on a self-reporting questionnaire. The students were then engaged in a writing task which required them to write a paragraph in English. After analyzing students' written samples, some key informants were selected for an in-depth interview to get an emic perspective. The results of the study indicate a mismatch between students' perception of their written proficiency in English and their actual proficiency. The results also highlight gender differences in students' self-perception and the problems they face because of their limited English language proficiency, which they believe to be the result of their inadequate exposure to English in Karachi University classrooms. The findings of the study highlight the need for an English lAnguage Centre to help both students and subject teachers communicate effectively in English in the classroom.