PERCEPTIONS OF PAKISTANI ENGLISH TEACHERS TOWARDS STANDARD BRITISH AND AMERICAN ENGLISH: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The study explores the attitudes and opinions of Pakistani English teachers on Standard British English (SBE) and Standard American English (SAE). Although most studies have been done on learner attitudes, this paper refracts the same to the teacher, whose role is very important in influencing linguistic norms in EFL. A survey involving 60 English teachers in the government and privately owned institutions in Pakistan was conducted using a mixed-method approach, whereby a questionnaire, which included closed-ended and open-ended questions, was used to gather the data. The results indicate that there is an acute effect of academic preparation of teachers, exposure to media, and the practices of the institution on the preference of variety among the teachers. The paper also examines the relationships between the linguistic backgrounds and pedagogical decision-making amongst teachers. The findings can be added to the current discussion of World Englishes and can be applied to the teaching training and language policy in Pakistan.