English Linguistic Capital and Career Trajectory: Impact of Medium of Instruction on the Professional Life of Indians

Abstract

Medium of instruction remains an extensively explored area particularly in Asia and Africa, with studies focusing on the various aspects of English medium instruction. The qualitative study delves into the impact of the medium of instruction on the career of Indians, specifically higher education, employment opportunities, and professional experiences. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with forty regional and English medium participants from different career phases—from university students, novice workers, seasoned and retired professionals, to homemakers taking a break in their careers. Thematic analysis reveals that in addition to the difficulties in their careers that came with low English proficiency, the regional language students admitted to low self-esteem that, in some cases, diminished once they attained a certain level of English ability. The findings provide insights into a largely overlooked aspect of the medium of instruction and will potentially inform policy decisions, curriculum development and support systems aimed at bridging the gap between regional and English medium education. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.