English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools
This study investigates the role of English as a gatekeeper language and the phenomenon of code switching in elite schools in District Karak Pakistan. Through the qualitative methods, such as classroom observation, semi-structured interview with teachers and students, as well as analysis of documents, the research examines the functional role of the English language as a tool of academic and social distinction. The study shows that English proficiency is directly connected to academic success and the ability to earn a living in the future with English being the gateway for opportunities for success. Code-switching, the behavior of mixing different languages (Russian and English or Urdu language or regional languages). The results highlight the cross-cutting of language, socio-economic status and educational inequality and hint at the necessity of zeroing in inclusive language policies in elite schools so as to guarantee equitable access to academic success.
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(1) Zohaib Zahir
Doctoral Researcher, Department of English, FATA University, Darra Adam Khel, FR Kohat, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Muhammad Imran
Lecturer, Department of English, FATA University Darra Adam Khel FR Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
(3) Mohammad Wasimullah
Lecturer, Department of English, Cadet College Razmak, KP, Pakistan.
Cite this article
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APA : Zahir, Z., Imran, M., & Wasimullah, M. (2025). English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools. Global Social Sciences Review, X(IV), 209-217. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-IV).17
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CHICAGO : Zahir, Zohaib, Muhammad Imran, and Mohammad Wasimullah. 2025. "English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools." Global Social Sciences Review, X (IV): 209-217 doi: 10.31703/gssr.2025(X-IV).17
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HARVARD : ZAHIR, Z., IMRAN, M. & WASIMULLAH, M. 2025. English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools. Global Social Sciences Review, X, 209-217.
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MHRA : Zahir, Zohaib, Muhammad Imran, and Mohammad Wasimullah. 2025. "English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools." Global Social Sciences Review, X: 209-217
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MLA : Zahir, Zohaib, Muhammad Imran, and Mohammad Wasimullah. "English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools." Global Social Sciences Review, X.IV (2025): 209-217 Print.
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OXFORD : Zahir, Zohaib, Imran, Muhammad, and Wasimullah, Mohammad (2025), "English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools", Global Social Sciences Review, X (IV), 209-217
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TURABIAN : Zahir, Zohaib, Muhammad Imran, and Mohammad Wasimullah. "English as a Gatekeeper: Code-switching in Pakistan's Elite Schools." Global Social Sciences Review X, no. IV (2025): 209-217. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-IV).17
