AN ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL IDEOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTBOOKS OF THE SINGLE NATIONAL CURRICULUM IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Current study is anticipated at to explore assorted layers of national ideological constructs, by means of Fairclough’s three dimensional (3D) model (2001), projected through the contents, thematic patterns and discourse of ELT (English Language Teaching) textbooks which are taught to the students of 9th and 10th grade under Single National Curriculum (SNC 2023). In order to scrutinize the data to accomplish the objectives of the study, a qualitative method of analysis has been utilized by the researcher. Data has been collected from ELT textbooks of 9th and 10th grade (SNC 2023). With the aim to delimit the data for focused analysis, a purposive sampling technique has been made use of to extract “Patriotism” and “Quaid’sVisionandPakistan” as sampled texts. Content and thematic analysis have been kept in view to examine the data and pencil in the findings. The findings of the study designate that ELT textbooks in Pakistan are loaded with national ideological constructs apart from serving academic purposes. Historiographic representation, glorification of wars’ heroes, iconic projection of Quaid’s speeches and themes of the texts are the outfits which are being exploited to enterprise national ideology in ELT textbooks. Unity, devotion, nationhood, loyalty and to keep the interests, sovereignty and integrity of the nation above all are the conspicuous national ideological constructs proliferated through discourse of the texts. The study is indicative of the fact that ELT textbooks of Pakistan have acted as an influencing agent to persuade the mind of the secondary level young minds by infusing the fortitude of patriotism and Islamic values of Pakistani national ideology.