A Critique of Teaching English to Undergraduate Classes with Special Reference to Writing Skill at Aligarh Muslim University - Abstract & Study Findings

Oct 15, 2026

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The paper examines the teaching of English to undergraduate students at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), focusing on learners’ needs, teaching materials, teaching trends, and learning strategies. It compares study skills across student groups using results drawn from questionnaires administered to both teachers and students. Based on the collected data, the study proposes recommendations for changes in classroom pedagogy and materials. It also evaluates the suitability of the materials for writing skills in relation to both students’ and teachers’ needs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction & Background

Objectives and Research Question

Literature review

Materials

Participants & Instrumentation

Advances in Language and Literary Studies Vol. 4 No. 1; January 2013 Copyright © Australian International Academic Centre, Australia A Critique of Teaching English to Undergraduate Classes with Special Reference to Writing Skill at Aligarh Muslim University Fatima Sheema Research Scholar, Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India E-mail: [sheemafatima2002@yahoo.co.in](sheemafatima2002@yahoo.co.in) Doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.4n. 1p.89 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.4n.1p.89](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.4n.1p.89) Received: 05/ 12/2012 Accepted: 05/01/2013 Abstract The present paper attempts to deal with the present scenario of teaching English for Undergraduate students at AMU. The researcher has tried to analyze the needs, materials and the teaching trends as well as learning strategies of the students, at the Undergraduate level. It also illuminates the difference in study skills between groups of student, as per the findings suggested by the questionnaire. For this purpose, two sets of questionnaires were circulated among teachers and students. On the basis of the findings from the data collected, some suggestions regarding changes in classroom pedagogy and materials are recommended. Checking the suitability of the materials in terms of writing skills with regard to students and teachers needs is the main concern. Keywords: Materials, Needs, Teaching trends, Undergraduate level, Writing Skill 1. Introduction & Background AMU (Aligarh Muslim University), initially established as the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was an initiative to uplift the socio-economic status of Indian natives, as well as their intellectual advancement, in colonial India. Later, after independence it became a government funded Central University, recognized by UGC (University Grants Commission) where the medium of Instruction, itself is English. The present paper is a part of ongoing research that deals with Compulsory English, recommended at the two beginning years of graduation (B.A/B. Sc/B.Com 1st and 2nd yr) at AMU. These sheets were produced in-house by a group of teachers from the department of English at AMU. The objective of the course was to equip the learners to proficiently use the basic language skills-LSRW. Herein, the researcher analyzed Writing skill viz. a viz. classroom pedagogy. 2. Objectives and Research Question It was observed that the students often shy away from writing, as L2 writing needs constant efforts, training and practice. This crucial problem led to the observations and findings of the present investigation. The present paper attempts to analyze- 1) Do the needs of learners match with the present syllabus and materials they are studying at present? 2) Differences in study skills. 3) Present materials/ tasks in Compulsory English sheets; and learners ’preferences 4) Learning strategies of the learners. 5) Suitability of teaching trends & present practices. 3. Literature review Teaching Compulsory English at Undergraduate classes in many universities of India is the determined need to train students coming from different vernacular medium, in a single understandable language environment. Most of the literatures of subjects such as history, geography, science etc. are available in English, difficult to be translated in the regional languages, as India is multicultural and multilingual country. With the difficulty for a citizen to learn all the regional languages in order to communicate with the natives of other states inside the country, English was given the status of ‘Second’ and‘Associate Official Language’ after independence. AMU followed the pattern set by UGC after 1960s. In the National Workshop on Syllabus Reform it was recommended that, “English should be taught as a Compulsory subject for a minimum period of two years to B.A, B.Com and B. Sc students.”1 Nowadays most of the competit

FAQs

What does the paper focus on regarding teaching English at AMU?

It focuses on undergraduate English teaching at AMU, analyzing needs, materials, teaching trends, and learning strategies, with special attention to writing skill and classroom pedagogy.

How were the study findings collected?

The study used two sets of questionnaires circulated among teachers and students, and the recommendations are based on the collected data.

What issues about student writing are highlighted in the research?

The paper notes that students often shy away from writing because L2 writing requires constant efforts, training, and practice.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher