PINGLISH IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING:AN EXPLORATION OF LEARNERS’ATTITUDE TOWARDS NON-NATIVE ENGLISH ACCENTS

Abstract

This study aims to investigate students' attitudes towards non-native English accents in EFL classrooms. The study examines students’ perceptions of the intelligibility and competence of non-native English varieties. However, it also highlights research gaps regarding school students’ preferences for native or non-native English accents. For this purpose, the study used a quantitative research design and administered two questionnaires: one for teachers and the other for students. Students’ questionnaires complemented those of teachers. Five teachers and twenty students were selected based on convenience sampling. The study found that almost all students and teachers prioritize non-native accents in EFL classrooms because they are perceived as easier to comprehend. The study finds students’ interest in non-native English accent (known as Pinglish, in Pakistan). The findings suggest that Pakistani middle school students prefer to speak and listen to Pinglish in their classrooms to enhance their understanding and learning of English. Moreover, this accent is easier for them to adopt than native accents. Students feel more comfortable speaking in a non-native accent.