Socio-Psychological Orientations in English Language Learning: A Study of Graduate Level Students

Abstract

The study examines socio-psychological orientations of students of technical education (commerce colleges, technology colleges, Technical training institutes, and vocational training institutes) towards the learning of English language. The study emphasizes the social psychological variables of attitude and motivation. In technical education the syllabus of English is different from the institutes of general education. The students of general education study English language till the last year of their graduation, while the students of commerce education study functional English in the 3rd year and business communication in 4th year. These courses relate to business correspondence. The study finds that students of technical education concentrate on learning of English for its utilitarian purpose. It is due to the reason that the absence of inadequate language policy and linguistic reality of Pakistan impact these essential socio- psychological elements of the student and his view point about English language learning. Further, students also like to learn English language due to 'instrumental' purpose or for the purpose to acculturate themselves with the target language society.