English Language Teaching in Pakistan

English is the official language of Pakistan while Urdu is the national language. Punjabi is the most commonly spoken language of Pakistan. Other significant languages spoken in Pakistan, in order of number of speakers, include Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki and Balochi. English is mostly spoken by educated people (“Pakistan”, 2009).

Pakistani English is the Pakistani dialect of English language, widely spoken in Pakistan and the language sect is also used throughout other countries, normally through means of Pakistani citizens abroad. Although British Raj in South Asia lasted for almost two hundred years, the areas which comprise what is now Pakistan, were amongst the last to be conquered; Punjab, which included what is now the NWFP, was captured in 1849, Sindh a few years before; while Balochistan was never fully integrated into the Indian Empire. As a result English had less time to become part of local culture; that it did and is an integral part of the country's social fabric due to several reasons. In 1947 upon Pakistan's establishment, English became Pakistan's de facto official language, a position which was formalized in the constitution of 1973 (“Pakistani English”, 2009).

Pakistani English shares many similarities with Indian English, however since Independence, there have been some very obvious differences. These include unique idioms and colloquial expressions as well as accents; foreign companies find accent naturalization easier in Pakistan than in India. However like Indian English, Pakistani English has preserved many phrases that are now considered antiquated in Britain (ibid.).

English, as mentioned earlier, is Pakistan's official language. All government documents, military communications, street signs, many shop signs, business contracts and other activities are done in English. The language of the courts is also English. English is taught to all school level Pakistani students, and in many cases the medium of instruction is also in English. At College and University level all instruction is in English. Pakistan boasts a large English language press and media. All of Pakistan's major dailies are published in or have an edition in English, while Dawn is a major English Language News Channel. Code Switching is very common in Pakistan and almost all conversations in whatever language have a significant English component (ibid.).

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