Students’ Language Preferences and Proficiency in English and Urdu: Perspectives of Punjabi and Saraiki Speakers

Abstract

The present study aimed at exploring perspectives of Punjabi and Saraiki speaking students about their language preferences and proficiency in English and Urdu. Being qualitative in nature, the data was collected by interviewing 30 purposively selected elementary students. Thematic analysis was made to arrive at findings. It is concluded that majority of Punjabi speaking students used their mother tongue outside the classroom while Saraiki speaking students preferred to use Urdu language. Both the groups of students were competent enough in Urdu and their mother tongues helped them in learning this language. The students were not much confident in using English especially in speaking, and mother tongue had neutral impact on students’ proficiency in English language.