FWU Journal of Social Sciences

Challenges in English Communication Skills of University-Level EFL Learners

Wadinlada Thuratham, Pasara Namsaeng — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to investigate the problems and needs related to English communication skills among EFL students and examine teacher perceptions of these skills. The participants in this study were 48 students and five English teachers in one university in Thailand. Data were collected using a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The e-questionnaire was first distributed to the students, followed by interviews with the teachers individually. The jamovi program was employed to analyze the data for mean and standard deviation, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings from the questionnaire revealed that the students experienced the most difficulty with listening, followed by writing, speaking and reading skills, respectively. Regarding student needs, they preferred presentations the most for developing their speaking and listening skills. Moreover, findings from the semi-structured interviews with teachers indicated that students had problems with three skills: speaking, writing, and listening. Therefore, this study offers valuable insights to help teachers better understand the issues that the students currently face and to identify effective teaching strategies that will help students become more proficient in English communication skills. This study implies using technology, such as online platforms to enhance students’ communication abilities and promote their learning experiences.

Unmasking Digital Prejudice: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis of Racial, Gender and Ideological Violence in Memes Targeting Kamala Harris’ Speeches

Fatima Kanwal, Aasia Nusrat, Sardaraz Khan — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research aims to find instances of racial and gender prejudice in memes that portray Harris' speeches. This study analyzes the role of memes depicting the political speeches of Kamala Harris as instruments for propagating and legitimizing destructive ideologies such as racial discrimination, gender bias, cultural stereotyping, and symbolic violence. The dataset consists of 9 internet memes that will be purposively sampled. This study employs a qualitative method, utilizing the Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) framework by Kress and Leeuwen (2006), to investigate how political memes shape gender and racial narratives about Kamala Harris. MCDA enables the examination of how combining text, images, typography, layout, and rhetorical techniques, including humour, pathos, and irony creates meaning. Between 2021 and 2024, 9 memes were carefully chosen from YouTube Reels, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, emphasizing material that alludes to Harris’ political persona and public statements. The findings reveal that memes often destabilize Harris' political identity by mocking her authority, reinforcing stereotypes, and distorting her public image. These strategies also demonstrate how digital discourse can perpetuate exclusionary narratives about race, gender, and power. Future research should explore meme discourses, intersectional policy-making, and the effects of digital stereotyping. Educational systems should incorporate media literacy training, social media platforms should adopt ethical standards, culturally aware AI systems should be developed, and counter-narratives that empower meme creators should be promoted to foster a more inclusive digital media ecology.

Student Problems In Self-Directed Learning : A Survey Of Vocational High School Student In Islamic Religious Education

Danil, Wirdati, Darmansyah — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes the perceptions of vocational high school students regarding the application of SDL in Islamic religious education learning. The research method used is an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Data were collected by distributing open-closed questionnaires to 42 volunteers as respondents. The results showed that there were 5 problem themes with an average score of 2.40 - 2.84, which is classified as high. This indicates that students still experience problems related to their learning independence due to their learning habits. This study has implications for the importance of teachers in innovating learning that can motivate students to direct their abilities to achieve the expected results. Therefore, this study shows that implementing SDL in Islamic religious education learning in vocational high schools is not easy, because students' high ability to access information from various digital media platforms and their learning habits that require practical activities, making them feel dissatisfied if learning only focuses on understanding the text.

Risk Dynamics in Iraqi Banking Sector: Role of Bank Capital and Efficiency

Bha Aldan Abdulsattar Faraj, Muhammad Hassan Danish, Esha Nisar — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The succession of financial crises has made it necessary for economists and policymakers to have a comprehensive understanding of financial systems and efficiency to reduce risks. Therefore, this study is designed to analyze the relationship between bank capital, efficiency, and risk in Iraqi banking sector by using the data from 2011-2022 for 20 commercial banks in the country. Efficiency is measured by three factors, including allocating efficiency (AE), technical efficiency (TE) and cost efficiency (CE). Results of the panel GMM indicate that bank capital is negatively associated with one risk measure (Zscore) while it is positively related to other measures of risk (SDROA and SDROE). Moreover, AE, TE and CE are also significant determinants of risk factors in banking. TE and CE are negatively related to solvency risk (ZSCORE) and SDROA, while positively associated with SDROE. But AE is only negatively related to Z-score and positively related to SDROA and SDROE. This study contributes valuable insights into the performance, efficiency, and stability of the Iraqi banking sector, providing policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders with essential information for decision-making and strategic planning.

Exploring Saudi EFL Students' Perceptions of Code-Switching as a Communicative Technique in EFL Classes

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aims of this study are to investigate how Saudi EFL students feel about code-switching as a way to communicate in EFL classes and whether gender and GPA have any effects on the use of code-switching strategies. A sample of 173 Saudi male and female EFL students from two universities in Saudi Arabia participated in the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of 18 statements across six subscales, rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that most participants had positive perceptions of code-switching as a communicative technique, which they believed was effective in improving their comprehension, expression of ideas, and grades in exams. The results showed that it should be used more frequently in EFL classes to promote communication and enhance learning. It was also revealed that there was no difference between male and female participants using code-switching strategies and no association between gender and GPA. This study provides valuable insights into the perceptions of Saudi EFL students towards code-switching and has implications for language teaching practices in Saudi Arabia.

The aims of this study are to investigate how Saudi EFL students feel about code-switching as a way to communicate in EFL classes and whether gender and GPA have any effects on the use of code-switching strategies. A sample of 173 Saudi male and female EFL students from two universities in Saudi Arabia participated in the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of 18 statements across six subscales, rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that most participants had positive perceptions of code-switching as a communicative technique, which they believed was effective in improving their comprehension, expression of ideas, and grades in exams. The results indicated that it should be used more frequently in EFL classes to promote communication and enhance learning. It was also revealed that there was no difference between male and female participants using code-switching strategies and no association between gender and GPA. This study provides valuable insights into the perceptions of Saudi EFL students towards code-switching and has implications for language teaching practices in Saudi Arabia.

Women's Role and Challenges in Household Water Conservation: A Case of Rawalpindi City

Nazia Habib, Syeda Sana Zainab, Muhammad Irfan Sheeraz — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The world is facing an increasing water crisis and multiple water-related challenges, including a shortage of clean water, depleting underground water tables, and flooding during the rainy season. Research suggests that individual water conservation practices, rainwater harvesting at the household level, and the construction of water storage dams can help alleviate water crises. This study investigates the obstacles that inhibit the development of water conservation behavior among women. Using a qualitative research approach, we conducted 35 in-depth interviews with women from various socioeconomic backgrounds, educational levels, and age groups. The collected data were transcribed in English, and 70 open codes were compiled against eight major themes. Major themes identified from data analysis were lack of knowledge, threat of dengue, financial limitations, governmental responsibility, quality testing issues, perceived inadequacy of efforts, and a non-cooperative community. In line with the Feminist Political Ecology framework, the present study highlights contextual challenges in framing water conservation behavior of women in a patriarchal society where women, despite having the most important role in water use, lack access to basic facilities and resources to participate in conservation activities effectively. The study highlights the need to educate women about environmental and water crises. It suggests that policymakers and organizations should incorporate environmental issues into education curricula and launch awareness campaigns and positive and negative reinforcement strategies to promote water conservation behavior. This study supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 13 and helps identify indigenous factors affecting women's water conservation behavior.

Classroom Practices of Teachers for Students’ Moral Development: Islamic Studies Textbook Garde VIII

Aisha Shams Akhunzada, Dr. Ishrat Siddiqa Lodhi — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted to investigate teachers' practices in teaching the Islamic studies subject, aiming to enhance the moral development of grade VIII students. The goal of our study was to determine what teachers think about the impact of their teaching practices on the moral development of their students. Due to this, we employed a semi-structured qualitative interview approach for this study. Regarding the moral development of students, the researcher visited with six female teachers who taught Islamic studies to eighth graders during the 2023-24 session. The thematic method was employed for the interpretation of the results. This study revealed noteworthy findings about instructors' perspectives on their instructional methods and the impact of these practices on their students' morals. The study derived four main themes with sub-themes, which found: overall teaching and evaluation methods, including storytelling, questioning, providing examples from various sources, application of moral values in practical life, and engaging conversations with students, application of different languages for involvement of students, Involvement of Society in teaching learning process, application of audio-visual- aids, practicing research, practices according to need and development of an effective learning environment for students’ moral development. Moreover, teachers emphasized the importance of providing meaningful examples before introducing a new topic and using persuasive techniques to motivate students. They also emphasized the importance of religious subjects, particularly Islamic studies, for the moral development of learners.

THE The Contribution of Peer Tutoring in The Development of Motivation Among Students Toward Learning Biology at The Secondary Level

Dr. Irfan Ullah, Javed Iqbal, Dr Muhammad Kaleem — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Motivation is one of the essential factors in the learning process. This study investigates the role of peer tutoring in motivation development. In this study, the current research explored the contribution of peer tutoring in the development of motivation among students toward learning biology at the secondary level. The study's primary objective is to probe the impact of peer tutoring on the development of motivation for learning. A group of 20 10th-grade students was selected as a sample for peer tutoring from the ANSI school in Mardan using a random technique from a pool of 120 students. This study employed a qualitative research design, utilizing participant observation as a tool to assess key motivational factors, including interest level, engagement, and session preparation, among participants, to determine students' motivation toward learning. The behavioral data related to motivation observed during participant observation were analysed qualitatively using data coding and thematic analysis. The study's findings revealed that peer tutoring had played a beneficial role in developing motivation among tutors and tutees towards learning. It was found that confidence level and understanding of the teaching contents were enhanced among the tutors. At the same time, the tutees got a supportive and social environment where they were free to discuss and understand the learning content. The study has concluded that peer tutoring is an effective strategy for improving motivation in students at the secondary level.

Russia’s Eurasian Aspirations and its Strategic Reach towards South Asia: Implications for Regional Connectivity

Faisal Javaid, Imrana Begum, Nuzhat Tariq — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes Russia's Eurasian aspirations and strategic reach toward South Asia. It focuses on the important implications that regional connectivity can bring. The research investigates how Russia engages with South Asia and how it shapes the geopolitical landscape that increases the opportunities for regional connectivity. The paper also examines the aim of Russia presented by its strategies and presents initiatives for strengthening its presence in the region. Considering both economic and security elements of infrastructure projects spanning the Eurasian landmass, with particular attention to their influence on Pakistan and India, it assesses the strategic relevance of regional connectivity in Russia's foreign policy. Finally, given the rise of China and the retraction of U.S. power following the departure of its troops from Afghanistan, this paper hypothesizes about Russia's future trajectory in respect. It explores how these worlds events might affect Russia's attitude to South Asia and its more general Eurasian policy, therefore changing the scenario of regional connectivity.

Development And Validation of A Jealousy Scale

Prof. Syeda Farhana Jahangir, Madiha Khan, Sara Rashid — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The main objective of the study was to develop a precise and reliable instrument for measuring the level of jealousy. The study was carried out in the following four stages. In the first phase, the items of the jealousy scale were generated by reviewing existing literature and employing a logical group discussion strategy. In the next phase, these items were sent to the experts of Psychology and theology for qualitative item analysis. In phase III, the items proposed by the experts were applied to the randomized sample of 300 participants as a first try out of the test. All the items showing good internal consistency, were further applied to a sample of 200 individuals in the final Phase of Factor Analysis. The Exploratory Factor Analysis also shows significant factor loading on three components. According to the value of the Confirmatory Factor (CFI), the model has a good fit. The scores obtained from test revealed very good reliability i-e .93(N=500). Each item shows a significant item-total correlation. The jealousy scale is a three-dimensional scale. It has good reliability and can be used within Pakistan. Further studies are suggested for validation of the scale across the globe.

Geographic and Socioeconomic Predictors of Disaster Preparedness among Barangay Health Emergency Responders and Residents: Evidence from Dapitan City

John Wayne Jacinto, Victor Bernido, Bobmil Flores — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Because of the Philippines' extreme susceptibility to disasters caused by nature, effective local disaster risk reduction is crucial. In order to improve community resilience, this study looks at disaster knowledge and preparedness among the residents and Barangay Health and Emergency Response Teams (BHERT) in Dapitan City, Philippines. A descriptive-correlational design was employed in the investigation. In 15 barangays, 380 respondents were given structured questionnaires. Although there is a high level of awareness regarding typical hazards like earthquakes and typhoons, total preparedness is still lacking. Better preparedness is significantly predicted with higher educational attainment and barangay vulnerability, while old age is associated with less readiness. A more favorable attitude toward disaster awareness is also associated with geographical characteristics, such as being close to rivers and mountain areas, and better family income. Despite widespread exposure to disaster information via the media, there are insufficient practical preparedness measures, including thorough planning, sufficient response equipment, and efficient training. These results highlight the necessity of focused initiatives and community-driven, localized interventions to increase Dapitan City's resilience and readiness for disasters.

Entrepreneurial Resilience in Turbulent Times: Navigating Crisis and Disruption

Ayesha Abrar, Madiha Gohar, Beenish Iqbal — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Pakistan has been grappling with violent disruptions for nearly three decades. Alongside the Afghan war, incidents rooted in religious, linguistic, and ethnic conflicts have severely damaged the country’s social, economic, institutional, and political infrastructure. These acts of organized violence manifest in multiple forms and carry wide-ranging economic, social, and psychological consequences. They reduce economic activity by destroying infrastructure, generating uncertainty, discouraging investment, and stalling overall business growth. This paper examines the impact of such violence on entrepreneurship, using Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), as a case study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 entrepreneurs who were direct victims of the bomb blast at Meena Bazaar which is one of the deadliest attacks in Peshawar’s history, claiming 100+ lives, injuring over 200 individuals, and destroying the entire marketplace. Thematic analysis of the data reveals that such violent events significantly hamper entrepreneurial activity by reducing sales and customer engagement. Some entrepreneurs closed their businesses, while others continued operations without pursuing growth. Additionally, entrepreneurs and their families experienced both financial and psychological distress. Interestingly, this study also emphasizes that entrepreneurs in the violence-affected marketplace rely on multipronged coping strategies that are based on personal resilience as well as collective adaptation. Spiritually grounded explanations helped individuals endure trauma. Together, these patterns depict that resilience among the entrepreneurs in such contexts is both relational and reflective. It is also deeply embedded in social networks and rooted in personal belief systems. This shifts the focus beyond entrepreneurial failure or success, toward a more processual and contextual understanding of resilience under crisis conditions. This research offers a novel contribution by exploring the relationship between violent conflict and entrepreneurship in the context of Peshawar.

Contours of connectivity: Socioeconomic transformation and local perception of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in upper Hunza, Pakistan

sunana alam, Kashif Iqbal — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study focuses specifically on understanding how residents perceive both their changed livelihood situations and their ability to access development advantages while expressing worries about cultural and environmental sustainability factors. The study employed a quantitative survey design with a cross-sectional approach. The researcher obtained data through multistage cluster sampling from residents located in Sost and Passu settlements. Research data was collected through both digital and face-to-face distribution of a structured questionnaire, which used a five-point Likert scale. The data collected from 220 respondents yielded 200 valid results that underwent statistical description. The survey respondents showed both positive and negative feelings. The widespread view that CPEC drives economic growth and better connectivity also reveals several negative implications, including environmental damage and cultural loss, and a lack of participation in decision-making processes. Both positive and negative aspects of CPEC receive widespread acknowledgment from respondents with scores higher than 3.00 on important scales. Numerous analysts view the CPEC project as having two major effects: it drives regional development, but concurrently threatens local cultural practices and puts residents at risk of non-inclusion. The analysis demonstrates how development plans must integrate native valuations with impartial community involvement. Through this study, critical development sociology gains new insights by including the mountain population perspective, which is typically absent in large-scale infrastructure development planning processes. The research promotes culturally sensitive strategies for megaprojects through future development.

Full ISSUE : Fall 2025, Vol.19, No.3

fwu-journal — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Full ISSUE : Fall 2025, Vol.19, No.3