Gap between acquired and required English learning objectives for the primary school students: Empirical evidence from Sargodha (Pakistan)

Abstract

English is most frequently used language in the global communication and considered to be the key to success. In spite of the efforts made by the government to achieve acquired level, the failure rates in English in Pakistan is very alarming. In order to investigate this problem, this study was aimed to unveil the gap between the learning objectives of English and the actual condition of primary school students in Sargodha (Pakistan). A random sample of 180 students from six primary government schools of Sargodha district was selected. The data were collected through an achievement test based on contents set by the Punjab textbook board. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The results revealed a gap between the required SLOs (students’ learning objectives) and the students’ acquired competency level in English at primary level. Further, the variables; teachers’ content knowledge, gender of the students; type of school and parents’ education found significant factors that affect students’ competencies in learning English. The study recommended that every school should possess an environment where facilities of teaching language skill are provided keeping in view the above factors.

Keywords

• english language
• learning objectives
• primary school
• teaching language skill