Instructional Challenges: English as Medium of Instruction in Primary Schools of District Lower Dir

Abstract

English is a source of communication across the globe and serves as a communicative base in education. The current study is aimed at identifying the challenges and issues faced by teachers and students towards English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) at the primary school level in District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This quantitative study is carried out with a sample of 308 primary school teachers through simple random sampling by using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling formula. The collection of data is made through a close-ended questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics and Chi-square. Findings revealed that disturbance in classrooms, lack of proper syllabus, lack of alignment with native languages, lack of professional development of teachers in EMI and lack of interest of students are the challenges faced by teachers while teaching with EMI. The findings also revealed that limited exposure of students towards English and lack of opportunities for practicing English. Recommendations include the provision of informal opportunities to students in the form of open competitions and free dialogue along with provision of multimedia and other gadgets to primary schools for practicing English.