SOCIOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVES ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING IN A 9TH-GRADE IN UZBEKISTAN

This article looks at how social and cultural differences affect English learning in a 9th-grade class in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. All students speak Uzbek as their first language, but they come from different regions, families, and situations. Some have private tutors, internet access, and support at home, while others rely only on school lessons. These differences influence how confident students feel and how quickly they learn. Gender roles, ethnic background, and social class also shape how students use English in class. The article explains how sociolinguistics—the study of language and society—can help teachers understand these differences. It also shows how ideas about “correct English” can sometimes make students less confident. The paper suggests ways to make teaching and assessment more inclusive, such as allowing students to use their home languages, valuing different varieties of English, and focusing on real communication skills. By looking at language learning through a sociolinguistic lens, teachers can create fairer classrooms where every student feels respected and supported.