Research Synopsis

Socio-economic, educational and cultural hindrances in learning English

language in Pakistan

Mubashir Latif

M. Phil English

Dr.

University of Sargodha, Pakistan

1 Introduction
1.1 Background of the study

Culture has been referred as an integral part of human life. Every human is born in special
context of culture that results in achieving its changed aspects of life. Generally culture could be
defined as the set of particular values, ideologies and beliefs accepted by the members of
community. Culture is basic part of each human’s life. In the process of language learning, there
are some important factors that significantly hinder the process of language learning, such factors
are known as cultural barriers or hindrances (Liu and Fang, 2017). Effective language learning
specially second language in different countries has noticed as critical due to the changed
thinking’s, seeing, viewpoints and interpreting the concepts accordingly. There are different
views of scholars to present the culture in the context of language learning, most of the
researchers have referred the culture as play of nature in learning and acquisition of language
(Russell, 2015). Earlier studies showed that students who only have single parent mother or
father usually unable to perform sufficiently in contrast to those students who own both parents
alive for their care identification. The most significant factor that play important role for student
performances is mental satisfaction. Flow of economy and good economic conditions definitely
enhance the learning performances of students. Few researchers have claimed that these
situations are not always correct because excessive flow of economy makes the individual proud
and rude.

Researchers have indicated that there is significant impact of internal factors on the learning
performances of second language learners (Awwad et al., 2017). Such factors include the
motivations of students, students’ beliefs, attitudes and level of perception. As per literature,
motivation of students significantly relates with the L2 learning in effective way. For example
Crain et al. (2016) have indicated that there will be more successful learning where there will be
increased motivation level of students to learn second language in classrooms. Motivation assists
the learners to overcome the shortcoming and difficulties in learning process and able them to
response in positive way (Morazes, 2016).
1.2 Statement of problem
In developing countries like Pakistan, leaning English is recognized as a difficult process due to
the reason of non native language. In public schools of Pakistan, students face several factors
that hinder in the way of English learning. In Pakistan, public school teachers are still unaware of
important hindering factors that lower the English learning process in classrooms. In existing
knowledge of research, there are few studies available which targeted the important learning
barriers in the way of English learning. Present study is aimed to evaluate the role of socio-
economic, educational (Socio-Psychological) and cultural factors that hinder the language
learning in Pakistan.

1.3 Research questions

1. What is the association of socio-economic factors with English learning performances of

primary students in Pakistan?
2. What is the association of educational (socio-psychological) factors with English learning
performances of primary students in Pakistan?
3. What is the association of cultural factors with English learning performances of primary
students in Pakistan?

1.4 Research Objectives

 To evaluate the association of socio-economic factors with the English learning

performances of primary school students
 To evaluate the association of educational (socio-psychological) factors with the English
learning performances of primary school students
 To evaluate the association of cultural factors with the English learning performances of
primary school students
1.5 Significance of the study

This research keeps special significance in the context of educational management. The results of
this study will offer the practical evidences form the student’s survey that will highlight the most
important factors that play role in the way of English learning at primary level students in
Pakistan. The findings of this research will support in a sense that teachers will take help to
understand the classroom issues and handle them accordingly. The results of this study will add
valuable knowledge addition I the exiting body of knowledge that will give significant boost to
the classroom strategies and support the policy makers to craft such effective policies that cover
the issues in classroom. Lastly, present research will open new dimensions for incoming
researchers to lead this topic in private sector as well as to understand the underlying factors that
are useful for effective language learning at primary level student.

2 Literature Review

2.1 Socio-economic factors and performance of English learning

Studies showed that learning performance has been yielded by economic and mental satisfaction.
If any individual is satisfied mentally as well as socially then there are more positive results
against his/her learning outcomes? Socio-economic standing (SES) of any learner is chiefly
assessed by the response of parents, occupational standing and their income level. Researchers
have shown that SES significantly influences the academic performances of students (Liu &
Fang, 2017). Those students who own lower level of SES usually anomic less grades in contrast
to t he higher SES. Earlier studies showed that students who only have single parent mother or
father usually unable to perform sufficiently in contrast to those students who own both parents
alive for their care identification. The most significant factor that play important role for student
performances is mental satisfaction. Flow of economy and good economic conditions definitely
enhance the learning performances of students. Few researchers have claimed that these
situations are not always correct because excessive flow of economy makes the individual proud
and rude (Zhou, 2016).
Apart from these economic variables, social factors also play the vital role for uplifting the
educational performance of the students who are enrolled in English learning classes. Important
social factors such as buying behavior positive motivation and educational culture are perceived
a significant for the learning outcomes of English learners. Those students who are well
socialized and achieve parental as well as communal support are likely to perform better in
classrooms whereas those students who are deprived from social support are usually seen with
lowered educational performances.

2.2 Socio-Psychological Factors Affecting L2 Learning

Theories related to socio cultural learning aspects significantly indicate that ability of learners
depends on the external and internal environment where language learning exists (Mahmoudi
and Mahmoudi, 2015). In some studies, it has concluded that communication between student
and teacher is most important aspect to create the learning environment of second language
(Khan et al., 2017). In this way, traditional tutors react as main source of knowledge but in
opposite, the teachers who act as progressive and try to facilitate the learning as well as
encourage the learners to participate in language learning activities (Al-Daihani et al., 2016).
Hence it has concluded that support of environment is very important to implement L2 learning
in effective way.

Researchers have indicated that there is significant impact of internal factors on the learning
performances of second language learners (Awwad et al., 2017). Such factors include the
motivations of students, students’ beliefs, attitudes and level of perception. As per literature,
motivation of students significantly relates with the L2 learning in effective way. For example
Crain et al. (2016) have indicated that there will be more successful learning where there will be
increased motivation level of students to learn second language in classrooms. Motivation assists
the learners to overcome the shortcoming and difficulties in learning process and able them to
response in positive way (Morazes, 2016).

Ma et al. (2017) have reported that among many internal factors that effect second language
learning, self motivation has found as successful instrument towards second language learning in
contrast to those learners who are not well motivated to learn L2. Blaj-Ward (2017) has stressed
on the important role of external environment for effective L2 learning procedure. Researchers
have highlighted that there should be supportive environment so that learners take interest in L2
for positive performances in class.

Moeller and Catalano (2015) explained their findings that motivation of learners could be
positive or negative; it heavily depends on the attitude of learners towards L2. It has noticed that
foreign students represent the positive attitude towards L2 whereas local culture may not support
the learners to be motivated for English as second language learning. Zhou (2016) indicated that
attitude in positive way supports the learners to second language with interest and able to
communicate with native speakers. In contrast to this, negative attitude of learners proved as
hurdle for the learners of second language.

Moeller and Catalano (2015) identified that issue and difficulties with the tutor of second
language significantly affect eh the level of learning performances of students. For example
when there will be loosed interest of teacher then there will be reduced performance of learning
students. Researchers have claimed that those students who face difficulties can get better
learning results with interest and positive attitude towards L2 learning activities (Al-Daihani et
al., 2016). Students who experience difficulties in learning a foreign language can still achieve
success in this process. Dirix and Duyck (2017) have argued that there is significant role of
learner’s age to learn the second language i.e. it has found that children’s learning plasticity is
seen as higher than of adults learners (Hiba, 2015).

2.3 Association of Culture and English learning performance

Research have explained the association of culture with second language learning as it offers the
meanings , directions for positive behaviors and attitudes towards language learning. In fact, the
student of second language a face cultural shocks which are individual disorientation when
undergoing newer way of social environment or facing the newer things (John and Linda, 2010).
Tran and Seepho (2015) stated that it is very essential to understand the integration of culture in
teaching and learning the second language i.e. English. The significant importance of culture has
gained special attention in early 1990s (Liu & Fang, 2017).
In same way, many scholars have pointed out the cultural acquisition in connection with learning
motivation that it supports the learning activities inn multicultural context. Erfani (2014) argued
that learners can cable to understand and express in effective way if they understand the culture
and its variations. Researchers have suggested that EFL learners must represent the proficiency
of language as well as cultural literacy so as to avoid cultural shocks, communication breakdown
and any sort of misunderstanding g in the way of English learning (Tran & Seepho, 2016).
After evaluating and analyzing different cultures in English classroom, it has seen that curiosity
of students to get the knowledge was different in same class. In same way other aspects of
culture like openness to accept the things and personal beliefs about the things may usually differ
from one student to others? Additionally, it has also seen that students who are more and more
positive attitudes are more likely to tolerate towards the other cultures and such students
welcome and respect the viewpoint of other students (Sara & Hatam, 2014). Researchers have
highlighted that culture of students is a significant barrier in the way of leaning English
language. Differences in cultures can cause the creation of confusions and misunderstandings to
perceive the things in right way. Students may face serious problems while communicating with
native speakers which are the hurdle in the way of learning the language.

2.4 Research Framework

Socio-economic Factors

Educational English Learning Performance

(Socio- Psychological) Factors

Cultural Factors
2.4.1 Research Hypothesis

H1: There is significant relationship of socio-economic factors with English learning of primary
school students

H1: There is significant relationship of educational (socio-psychological) factors with English

learning of primary school students

H1: There is significant relationship of cultural factors with English learning of primary school
students

3 Research Methodologies
3.1 Research Design/Type

A research design refers towards the set of procedures employed for collecting the data and
analyzing the measures of research variables. Research design explains the type of research, data
collection methods and statistical analysis technique. Research design is referred as a technique
for finding answer to research questions. This will be quantitative research that will collect data
through survey. It was aimed to collect the data, analyze and evaluate the association of
independent variable with dependent variable. This research will employ the questionnaires as a
survey instrument for collecting the data form targeted population. Before conducting the
complete survey, there will be a pilot test of 20 respondents. In this pilot test, the reliability of
survey tool will be confirmed before proceeding towards other statistical analysis.

3.2 Research Population

In order to study the major factors that play vital role English learning in public primary schools,
the targeted population for this study will be selected as students of 4rth and 5 th class in Arifwala
public schools. A self-administered questionnaire is used for collecting data in this research
studies. This targeted population will included both genders, i.e. students Male and Females who
are enrolled in public.
3.3 Sampling technique

This study will follow simple random sampling technique. This sampling technique offers the
opportunity for the researchers to select the desired sample on random basis. A list of 4rth and 5 th
class students will be taken from the head teachers and by implementing random sampling
survey sample will be selected to take the response from the students

3.3.1 Sample size

This study survey will select the sample size of 205 students reading 4rth and 5 th class in
primary schools of Arifwala, Pakistan.

3.4 Instrument Development

Current research has adopted questionnaire as tool of data collection. This tool offers the
advantages by satisfying the targeted people in contact, to the other survey instrument like online
survey. Through questionnaires circulation, an adequate time will be provided to the respondents
to fill it up by understanding the statements and respond with complete attention. In this survey,
questionnaires will be presented in five point Likert scale.

3.5 Data collection procedure

Self-administered questionnaire is the most universally employed technique of data gathering

and the same has been used in present research. Questionnaire forms will be presented to the
targeted participants for evaluating the role of different factors towards English learning
performances. Respondents in present study survey will be given form for recollection of the
same in given timeframe. All collected responses will be rerecorded in SPSS for analyzing
statistically.

3.6 Data analysis technique

Current study will use SPSS software for analyzing the study result using quantitative research
techniques. Pilot test will be conducted that provided result to verify whether our instrument of
research is consistent. After clearance of pilot test, full survey will be carried out, after that it will
be logged in SPSS software. Validity and reliability assessments will be done using software
(SPSS). Test for the frequency distribution will be carried out for each of the demographic
questions. In order to assess the relationship of research variables, correlation analysis test will
be carried out. Lastly, for evaluation and acceptance or rejection of the study, regression analysis
will be carried out which clarified the influence on dependent variable by the independent
variables.

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