LINGUISTIC CAPITAL AND CAREER AMBITION: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL MOBILITY ON ENGLISH PRESTIGE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20935041Keywords:
Career Aspirations, English Language Prestige, Linguistic Capital, Pakistani University Students, Perceived Social MobilityAbstract
This study aimed to explore the links between English language prestige (ELP), perceived social mobility (PSM) and career aspirations in undergraduate students of selected public universities of Pakistan. A quantitative research design was used and the data was collected from 384 students using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (i.e., Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses). The results showed that student attitudes towards English are positive and they consider it to be a vital tool for social mobility and success in their future careers. There was a strong positive correlation between ELP and PSM. Moreover, PSM was a key predictor of career aspirations. Therefore, this study concludes that English plays an important role as a form of linguistic capital which is affecting students educational, social and career aspirations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mishal Abbas, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, Hina Riaz (Author)
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