Perceptions on the Single National Curriculum for English as a Second Language for Primary Grades

Abstract

This study's purpose is to interpret the SNC's goal of teaching English as a second language in primary grades across the country. The study is qualitative and uses content analysis to explore SNC's creative aspects. The curriculum clearly aims to improve students' communication skills in English as a second language and make them confident speakers. Along with this, curriculum intent to instill ethical, social, and universal values in Pakistani students through themes and subthemes such as harmony and community solidarity, ideology, religious pluralism, compassion, justice, and dispute resolution to achieve sustainable development goal - SDG 4. SNC is also compared with the Cambridge Curriculum of English as a second language and is found aligned in terms of curriculum approach and skill development however; this paper proposes the professional development of the teachers in the form of pre service and post service workshops for language development and teaching pedagogies of the teachers.  This paper also identified the need of print and digital teaching resources to address the need of the teachers and learners. The SNC's vision can only be accomplished if the suggested assessment technique is used, hence revamping the examination system should be prioritized.