In Karachi (Pakistan), there are a large number of English language institutes in which English is being taught as a second language, as a foreign language, for specific purposes, etc. Although English is taught as a compulsory subject to students at intermediate and graduate level at colleges and universities to improve their English language skills, but even students go to private English language institutes to learn English language. This research aims to investigate the perception of students about private English language institutes. These private English language institutes are expensive and offer courses of long durations. Most of them are open from morning to night. What factors impel, impress or motivate students to join private English language institutes to learn English language? What do they think about private English language institutes? It is a qualitative research in which the data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews followed by non-participant observations. 30 students were selected from three English language institutes of Karachi for semi-structured interviews through purposive sampling. After interviews, 24 classes from three English language institutes were also observed. The findings of this research show that students prefer to join English language institutes to learn English language for various reasons such as these institutes provide quality education, they have trained teachers, they focus on speaking and listening skills rather than writing and reading skills, they have friendly and cooperative teachers, etc. The results can be useful for language policy makers to bring more improvement in English language teaching at private English language institutes.
Key words: Perception, semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation, private English language institutes, ESL, course, middle class, lower-middle class, locally-owned English language institutes
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