PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS AND LEARNERS ON THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF TWO PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITIES IN SINDH

Abstract

This study seeks to understand the perception, practices and challenges of the medium of instruction (MOI) in higher education in two of the public sector universities in Sindh, Pakistan. A qualitative approach was used and it entailed semi-structured interviews conducted from 30 students and 15 teachers identified through a purposive sample in two public sector universities in Jamshoro, Pakistan. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data and find patterns and key themes. The paper finds that inflexible English-only policy does not suit the linguistic realities of students and proposes a flexible multilingual orientation where multilingualism is a concept where local languages are used as cognitive and affective scaffold. The implications point to the necessity of the inclusive language policies, and pedagogical approach that would facilitate learning in multilingual higher education settings.