College Students’ Perspectives on the Role of English in their Academics

Abstract

The significant global presence of English has manifested as an evident shift in language–in–education policies in most multilingual countries worldwide, including India. Because of the growing need to develop proficiency in English, it has been offered both as a medium of instruction and as a subject in higher educational institutions. The present study has examined, from students’ perspectives, the impact of English as a global language on educational practices being adopted in higher education institutions in the state of Punjab. For this study, data were gathered by interviewing undergraduate students from different streams who study through English medium in colleges in Punjab. An interview schedule has been prepared for this purpose. The responses given by these students have been content analysed. The results show manifold implications of the predominance of English globally for students studying in higher education institutions in Punjab.