English Medium Schools: Do they lack native culture

Abstract

In this research the researcher is trying to show how the English Medium Schools impede the development of the country. The research sites were located at ten English Medium Schools in Dhaka city. The research objectives were to find out the attitude of English medium students in Dhaka city towards their own native culture. The researcher intends to highlight the negative and positive attitudes of English Medium students towards their own native culture along with the reasons behind these. Campus and Classroom setting, topic of discussion, motivation or demonization of the teachers and attitudes of other fellow students will be considered thoroughly. Both qualitative and analytical method has been incorporated in the study in analyzing the data. Acculturation theory given by Ellis (1997:251), and also the theory of Cultural imperialism by Said (1993), was also considered as the theories of this study. The data were collected from various English Medium schools through questionnaires and these are critically analyzed especially focusing on attitudes and theory. Mainly the data were analyzed critically focusing on attitudes of the students on their own culture whether it is negative or positive. The findings indicate the positive attitude towards the native culture of the students but the lack of practice and knowledge of the culture are due to the syllabus and curriculum which the schools follow. Based on these, few recommendations have been made to enrich the students’ awareness about their own culture and to find an alternative syllabus which would include the context of native culture to maximize the practice of native culture.