LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 17:4 April 2017
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
         Renuga Devi, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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The relationship between Proficiency and Exposure to English Language:
A study of Functional English and General English Students at
Higher Secondary Level in Srinagar

Hafsa Riyaz, M.Phil., M.A. Linguistics, B.Ed.
Sabba Mushtaq, M.Phil., M.A. Linguistics, M.A. English, B.Ed.

Abstract

English, though a foreign language, occupies a unique position in the educational system of India. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not much different from rest of the Indian union. Moreover it continues to be a major language having a prestigious position in our society. Fluency in English enhances an individual’s personality, presentation skill, confidence and eventually his career. English occupies the position of a Lingua Franca in the world. Thus the exposure to English language tends to develop better levels of proficiency in the English language. The present study will focus on the proficiency acquired as a result of exposure to English language. The study covered higher secondary institutions of Srinagar city where both functional English and general English were taught. The findings of the study revealed that those students who have exposure to English language score better in terms of their language skills. Depending on the statistical results, it is discovered that there is a significant connection between exposure and achievement in English language. It was also found that Functional English teaching devotes more time to English teaching than General English.

Keywords: Exposure, Proficiency, Functional English, General English

1. Introduction

It is a widely accepted fact that English has acquired the status of a world language and it holds its sway in different domains of life. It is “the most frequently used international language … Never before has it been more readily used across frontiers” (Smith, 1983). In many countries of the world English is the most widely studied second/foreign language. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not much different from rest of the Indian Union. It is the language that is widely used in society and learners need to acquire English in order to survive in a society. Currently it is no exaggeration to say that the whole valley is overwhelmed by a zest of English. Moreover, it continues to be a major language having a prestigious position in our society. The majority of Kashmiris think that English language is useful for their personal development. Although students learn English language from kindergarten, their use of English language is moderate. English is the language studied most as a foreign language around the world and quite a lot of work has been done on how English language is acquired or learned. Various variables affect language learning. One of the most significant is exposure to the language itself. Students with more exposure to the target language are expected to acquire greater familiarity with the target language. A learner who has had only formal exposure to the target language will achieve a lower level of proficiency in the language than one who has had formal and informal exposures. Language exposure is vital to language learning and the language proficiency which is acquired from the language learning process is almost entirely determined by language exposure (Lubega 1979).

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

HafsaRiyaz, M.Phil.,M.A. Linguistics, B.Ed.
(Corresponding Author)
NET and SET Qualified
Department of Linguistics
University of Kashmir
Srinagar 190006
Jammu and Kashmir
India
hafsakachkar@gmail.com

SabbaMushtaq, M.Phil., M.A. Linguistics(Gold Medalist)
M.A. English, B.Ed.
NET and SET Qualified
(Co-Author)
Department of Linguistics
University of Kashmir
Srinagar 190006
Jammu and Kashmir
India
sweetsabba@gmail.com
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