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Representation of Female Gender in English Books: A Case of Pakistani English Textbooks
Get PDFThis study offers a comprehensive picture of the gender gaps that persist in our society by demonstrating how gender differences are still prevalent in our educational materials. The goal of the study is to classify gender stereotypes that emerge in textbook content and to investigate how women are portrayed in English textbooks for classes sixth, seventh, and eighth grade that are produced by Sindh Textbook Board. Specifically, the study used Fairclough\u27s three-dimensional critical discourse analysis paradigm to examine the text and images. Various themes pertaining to female representation surfaced. Females were typically linked to household responsibilities, and stereotypes and progressive portrayals of women have both been studied. The language for women or how women are portrayed in textbooks has an impact on the readers of all ages. It influences their thoughts and attitudes about women. Therefore, it is recommended that curriculum developers may evaluate the content before presenting it in published form for the readers
Unveiling Brand Identity: A Semiotic Exploration of Logo Design in Pakistani Clothing Brands
Get PDFIn the competitive textile market, each brand employs a unique logo or icon to distinguish itself from competitors. A logo acts as a brand\u27s visual identity, conveying its uniqueness and intended message to consumers. Therefore, creating an effective logo is crucial for designers, as it significantly influences consumer perception. This research uses a semiotic analysis based on Kress and van Leeuwen\u27s (2002) multimodality framework to examine the logos of two leading Pakistani clothing brands, including Khaadi and Junaid Jamshed. The study investigates how these logos impact consumer relationships with the brands, revealing that each logo is designed to communicate the brand\u27s distinct message. Factors such as colour schemes, logos, font, shape, words, and the inclusion of popular personalities in advertisements are essential in shaping consumer perceptions and preferences. The research involved stratified sampling to collect data, ensuring a representative analysis of consumer views. The findings indicate that well-designed logos and strategic branding elements are crucial for a strong brand-consumer connection. These elements significantly affect consumer loyalty and choice, underscoring the importance of effective logo design in building a positive brand image and influencing consumer behaviour
Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of ChatGPT in Enhancing ESL Learners Writing Skills
Get PDFDespite the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, studies are still being conducted on AI tools such as ChatGPT in improving English language writing abilities, particularly at the tertiary level in the local context. This study aims to investigate the advantages and difficulties of ChatGPT in enhancing English writing proficiency, particularly in terms of writing precision, adaptability, and grammatical accuracy, as seen by university-level second language learning students. The Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The results indicate that students consider ChatGPT advantageous for improving grammatical precision, vocabulary, syntax, and flexible adaptation to different writing genres. Nevertheless, one hurdle is the diminished capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, as pupils frequently need help to assess the material produced by AI. The study recommends a balanced strategy that combines AI-assisted language learning tools such as ChatGPT with traditional teaching techniques to supplement and improve English academic writing skills effectively
Predicaments of Married & Single Working Mothers in Pakistan
Get PDFOne of the emerging phenomena in South-Asian countries is \u27single-parent families.\u27 Such families face several emotional, social, and financial challenges. The study aimed to explore the inter-role conflict experienced by single-working mothers (SWM) and married-working mothers (MWM). The study investigated the difference between the use of coping mechanisms adopted by the two cohorts. Two hundred and eighty-one MWM and SWM were approached using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Findings reveal a significant relationship between inter-role conflict and coping mechanisms in married and single-working mothers. However, no significant difference in the selection of coping mechanisms was found. Moreover, it was deduced that single working mothers go through more inter-role conflict than married working mothers. The study\u27s result would help organisations identify inter-role conflict and coping mechanisms of their working mothers\u27 workforce, enabling them to devise facilitative strategies. Moreover, policymakers must understand the changing socio-cultural scenario of single working mothers, especially in the context of Pakistani cultural norms
Psychological Problems Faced by Nonnatives English Learners: A Perspective of Secondary Level English Learners in D. G. Khan
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore the problems behind the psychological weaknesses of speaking among some nonnative English language learners. The speaking skill was an unused part of a rather silent, nonparticipating classroom practices in the past in educational processes. The nonnative learners of English as a result, have hardly paid any attention to it in foreign language learning practices in a formal education. This has been documented as a developing problem in the practices of the learners in Pakistan at present. The research design was descriptive, based on survey design. The participants of this study were 400 boys and girls at secondary school level studying in Dera Ghazi Khan (D G Khan). The data were collected through a self-developed research questionnaire at five-point Likert scale by applying random sampling technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used for data analysis. The study results show that many learners faced psychological problems at high level in speaking English. Therefore, it is recommended that the teachers should promote English speaking through the usage of direct method
The Impact of Teacher’s Attunement on Peer Pressure and Academic Procrastination among University Students
Get PDFStudents all around the globe face problems such as academic procrastination and peer pressure due to a lack of commitment, emotional stress, inappropriate time management, and lack of guidance. This research examines the impact of teachers’ attunement on academic procrastination and peer pressure among university students. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect the data. The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between teacher attunement, academic procrastination, and peer pressure. This study also focuses on determining the impact of teacher’s attunement on academic procrastination and peer pressure. The sample consisted of students and teachers. The questionnaire used for the research included the Student-Teacher Relationship (STR), Perceived Peer Pressure Scale (PPPS), and the Tuckman Procrastination Scale (TPS). The analysis shows that academic procrastination and peer pressure are negatively significant to teacher’s attunement. Teacher’s attunement has a non-significant relationship with academic procrastination. Results show that boys tend to show more peer pressure. The discussion highlights the need for teacher attunement among university students
A Move-Based Analysis of Research Article Abstracts by Natives and Non-native Writers of English: A Comparative Study
Get PDFAn abstract is the main part of a Research Article (RA) that gives a major outlook of the whole article and it makes the reader decide to read or leave a particular article. It is less studied part in terms of research, especially in the context of Pakistan. Therefore, this study is aimed to compare the abstracts of research articles written by native (American) and non-native (Pakistani) authors. The focus of the current study is to investigate the frequency and percentage of each move of RA abstracts composed by native and non-native writers of English. To achieve this end, a corpus of 30 native and 30 non-native abstracts is collected and Hyland’s (2000) five-move model is applied to analyse the data. The results show that the move 1 (Introduction) occurred in all (60) abstracts and it is obligatory in Pakistani as well as American context. Furthermore, the results show that the difference in Conclusion move in Pakistani abstracts is 73%. On the other hand, the frequency of remaining three moves including purpose, method and product is similar in American and Pakistani contexts with minor differences. It is recommended that more comparative research be done on this specific subject utilizing more data sources
Association between Maternal Depression and Autistic Child’s Characteristics: A Mediating Role of Treatment
Get PDFA child\u27s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) alters family dynamics, heightens marital discord and parenting stress, and may result in parental psychopathology. This may impact the long-term prospects for their children. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression among parents of autistic children and the factors that predict these conditions. Two hundred and thirty file children were diagnosed with autism and their mothers were enlisted from the Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (SIPM&R), Karachi Sindh Pakistan. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were used to assess depression and the severity of autism, respectively. The demographic information was composed through a predesigned questionnaire. Data were analysed on SPSS version 20. Descriptive and correlation analyses were used for statistical evaluations. The analysis outcomes exhibited that mainstream mothers hold a master’s degree (54.5%), belong to middle-class families (72.8%), have a nuclear family setup (67.2%), and are housewives (86.8%). The mothers of these children tended to experience moderate depression (65.1%). The severity of an ASD child’s IQ level, adaptive behaviour, and communication characteristics were significantly correlated with depression in the mother (p<0.01). The mothers of children who were receiving treatment had significantly higher BDI scores than those mothers whose children were not under treatment (p<0.01). Hence, offering mental health support to mothers experiencing distress along with researching to explore the root causes of depression is found to be crucial. There is a need to strategise financial and moral support for couples with ASD children to help reduce depression among them
Semi – Automation Design Using Flow Injection Analysis System with Smart Phone for the Determination of Total Phenols in Wastewater
Get PDFSmart phone used as supporting hardware in different applications in chemical analysis are becoming increasingly important in everyday life. Rapid, easy, and straightforward analytical system flow injection analysis system for the determination of the total phenols was conducted using 4-aminoantipyrine reagent. The detection method was based on the reaction total phenols with reagent in the basic media and subsequent formation of a yellow color product. The samples or standard solutions were injection into a carrier stream to react with 4-aminoantipyrine reagent and ammonium chloride with ammonium hydroxide to give yellow color product, which was detected by spectrophotometer at 510 nm. The experimental condition such as flow rate of reagent and carrier, reagent volume, length of reaction coil and concentration of reagent were optimized. A good linear calibration curve in the range of 250-2000 mg L-1 was obtained with regression equation (y=0.0108 x + 0.3453), (R= 0.9989). The limit of detection was in the amount of 0.0112 mg L-1. The method was successfully applied for the determination of the total phenols in wastewater
Boron Concentration Measurement in Well Water
Get PDFThe present work used ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma/Optical Emission Spectrometry) and SSNTDs (Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors) to evaluate boron quantities in 9 water well samples collected from various places in Basrah governorate\u27s south. Boron concentrations in the ICP-OES method ranged from (4.3 - 9.3) mg/L, with an average value of 6.493 mg/L. In the SSNTDs, boron concentrations ranged from (4.8 - 9.8) mg/L, with an average value of 6.766 mg/L. Results obtained from water well samples using ICP/OES methods, SSNTDs respectively exceed the permissible limits of 5.0 mg/L in these regions