English Language Proficiency: Social and Academic Adjustment of Pakistani Postgraduate Students Abroad

Abstract

Adjustment in an alien culture is one of the major problems all over the world. It
becomes more concerned when young people with less exposure, experience and
knowledge go to other countries to seek higher education. The prime objective of
this study is to focus upon the role of the English Language Proficiency Test
(ELPT) in the social as well as academic adjustment of Pakistani postgraduate
students abroad. The uniqueness of this study is that the examination of Pakistani
students’ adjustment abroad has been highlighted for the first time. Data were
collected from 225 postgraduate Pakistani students who studied in 20 various
educational institutions in London with the help of a questionnaire. Chi-square test
was applied to examine association between English Language proficiency Test
and adjustment of the Pakistani postgraduate students abroad. Adjustment of the
Pakistani postgraduate students was found to be high with respect to those
students who obtained high IELTS score. In light of the study findings it is
recommended that Pakistani students, while seeking higher education abroad,
should acquaint themselves with the educational standards in the United Kingdom
by having a mastery over the English language. This will help in the smooth
adjustment in an English speaking country both socially as well academically.