TO EXAMINE THE TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE THROUGH VOLATILITY, UNCERTAINTY, COMPLEXITY, AND AMBIGUITY: TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES FROM PAKISTAN

Authors

  • Sumra Peeran Academics and Operations Manager, UK Examination Board Learning, Resource Network LRN, UK. Author
  • Shagufta Yasmeen Senior Lecturer, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bahria University, Karachi Campus, Sindh, Pakistan. Author
  • Saqib Abbas Assistant Professor, Department of English, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari (BBSUL), Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Author
  • Muhammad Zaman Lecturer, Department of English, Federal Urdu University, Abdul Haq Campus, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Author

Keywords:

Competence, English as A Second Language Instruction, English Language Teaching, Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity

Abstract

Rapid technological change and global educational demands require English as a Second Language instruction to address volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity in classroom practices. In Pakistan, equipping learners with adaptive and critical language skills has become increasingly important. This study examined English as a Second Language teachers’ perceptions of integrating volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity into English language teaching at the secondary school level in Pakistan. A quantitative research design was employed using a survey questionnaire administered to thirty English as a Second Language teachers from public and private secondary schools in a selected district. The findings indicate that teachers generally hold positive perceptions toward incorporating these elements through problem-based, digital, collaborative, and cognitively challenging activities. However, some teachers reported limited conceptual understanding and instructional confidence regarding their application. Overall, the study highlights the pedagogical value of integrating volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity in English as a Second Language instruction and emphasizes the need for professional development to support teachers in meeting evolving educational demands.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahmadi, M. R. (2018). The use of technology in English language learning: A literature review. International Journal of Research in English Education, 3, 115–125.

Akbari, Z. (2015). Current challenges in teaching/learning English for EFL learners: The case of junior high school and high school. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 199, 394–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.524

Allen, J., & White, S. (2017). Learning to teach in a new era. Cambridge University Press.

Ansarian, L., & Mohammadi, F. S. (2018). Problem-based learning in action: Review of empirical studies. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 26, 13–23.

Asmolov, A. G. (2018). Race for the future: “… now here comes what’s next”. Russian Education & Society, 60, 381–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/10609393.2018.1495017

Baimanova, U., Akhmedov, B., Niyazov, A., Kiyassova, K., & Kazakov, A. (2020). Training future English teachers for the formation of critical thinking in students. Asian ESP Journal, 16, 116–130.

Bennett, N., & Lemoine, G. J. (2014). What a difference a word makes: Understanding threats to performance in a VUCA world. Business Horizons, 57, 311–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2014.01.001

Beno, C., & Funke, J. (2017). The nature of problem-solving: Using research to inspire 21st century learning. OECD Publishing.

Canzittu, D. (2020). A framework to think of school and career guidance in a VUCA world. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 50, 248–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2020.1825619

Canzittu, D. (2022). A framework to think of school and career guidance in a VUCA world. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 50, 248–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2020.1825619

Chai, C. S., & Kong, S. (2017). Professional learning for 21st century education. Journal of Computers in Education, 4, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-016-0069-y

Chong, G., & Yamat, H. (2021). Teachers’ implementation of CEFR-aligned curriculum: A preliminary study. Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 3, 5–9. https://doi.org/10.32996/jeltal.2021.3.3.2

Choudhury, S. (2017). The role of the ESL teacher in a VUCA world. ELT Journal, 71, ccw065–ccw235. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccw065

Chua, B. S. (2015). The policy and practice of higher-order thinking in Malaysian schools. International Journal of Educational Management, 29, 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-09-2013-0103

Clary, D. (2015). Partnerships in professional learning: Engaging with secondary teachers to support literacy in a global world. Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education, 19, 29–40.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Dobber, M., Zwart, R., Tanis, M., & van Oers, B. (2017). Literature review: The role of the teacher in inquiry-based education. Educational Research Review, 22, 194–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.09.002

Du, J., & Chen, Z. (2018). Applying organisational ambidexterity in strategic management under a ‘VUCA’ environment: Evidence from high tech companies in China. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 2, 42–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2018.03.003

Evans-Whipp, T., Mundy, L., Canterford, L., & Patton, G. (2017). Student wellbeing, engagement and learning across the middle years. Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2016). How to design and evaluate research in education (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Frank, A. I., Mironowicz, I., Lourenco, J., Franchini, T., Ache, P., Finka, M., et al. (2014). Educating planners in Europe: A review of 21st century study programmes. Progress in Planning, 91, 30–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progress.2013.05.001

Gunawardena, M., Sooriyampola, M., & Walisundara, N. (2017). Scaffolding thinking in ESL lessons: Negotiating challenges. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 24, 279–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2017.04.004

Hadar, L. L., Ergas, O., Alpert, B., & Ariav, T. (2020). Rethinking teacher education in a VUCA world: Student teachers’ social-emotional competencies during the Covid-19 crisis. European Journal of Teacher Education, 43, 573–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2020.1807513

Hanak-Hammerl, M., & Newby, D. (2003). Second language acquisition: The interface between theory and practice. University of Graz.

Husin, W. N. F. W., Arsad, N. M., Othman, O., Halim, L., Rasul, M. S., Osman, K., et al. (2016). Fostering students’ 21st century skills through project oriented based learning (POPBL) in integrated STEM education program. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning & Teaching, 17, 1–18.

Zaman, M., Jawad, M., & Buriro, G. S. (2025). Understanding ESL lecturers’ beliefs and teaching methodologies in the context of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in Karachi. ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences, 4(1), 447. https://doi.org/10.63056/ACAD.004.01.0057

Published

2026-01-30

How to Cite

Sumra Peeran, Shagufta Yasmeen, Saqib Abbas, & Muhammad Zaman. (2026). TO EXAMINE THE TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE THROUGH VOLATILITY, UNCERTAINTY, COMPLEXITY, AND AMBIGUITY: TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES FROM PAKISTAN. International Premier Journal of Languages & Literature, 4(1), 31-43. https://ipjll.com/ipjll/index.php/journal/article/view/314