THE IMPACT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ON YOUTH IN UZBEKISTAN: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL ANALYSIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37547/Keywords:
English proficiency, Uzbek youth, English Medium Instruction, globalization, sociolinguistics, educational reform, career development.Abstract
This research article investigates the multifaceted impact of the English language on the younger generation in Uzbekistan, focusing on educational reforms, socio-economic opportunities, and linguistic shifts. Following the transition from Russian influence to a globalized English-centric model, the youth of Uzbekistan find themselves at a crossroads of linguistic identity. Drawing on extensive data from the British Council’s English Impact Report and various sociolinguistic studies, this paper explores proficiency levels among Grade 10 students, the rise of English Medium Instruction (EMI) in higher education, and the symbolic value of English in advertising and digital spaces. The findings suggest that while national proficiency levels are predominantly at the basic user stage (A1-A2), the motivation among youth is profoundly internalised, particularly among female students who view English as a tool for empowerment and professional mobility. Furthermore, the study examines the emergence of code-switching and Anglicisms in modern Uzbek discourse as a marker of modernity and global alignment. The analysis concludes that English is no longer merely a foreign language but a decisive factor in the socio-economic trajectory and identity construction of Uzbek youth.
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References
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