Unpacking identity construction and negotiation

A case study of Chinese undergraduate students’ social and academic experiences while studying abroad

Bibliographic Data

ID11990528
AuthorsYanling Cai (0000-0003-4970-1740, Macau University of Science and Technology), F Fang (0000-0002-4210-9042, Shantou University, corresponding author), Honghong Sun (Shantou University), Lianjiang Jiang (0000-0002-6662-5332, University of Hong Kong)
Year2022
Volume110
Pages102896-102896
Publication date2022-08-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSystem (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0346-251X • E-ISSN: 1879-3282
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.system.2022.102896
OpenAlexW4293069213
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited36

The complexity that arises between linguistic use and cultural identity during learners' study abroad experience has been emphasised to understand learner investment and learner agency. Anchored in a social view of learner agency and identity, this study used qualitative research methods to unpack the identity construction and negotiation of Chinese students studying abroad by investigating their agencies, investment, and identity construction and negotiation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and narrative journals from Chinese university-level students with study abroad experiences in countries where English is used as the dominant language. Using learner agency, attitude and construction of identity, and identity negotiation through intercultural conflicts as the analytical lens for data analysis, the findings showed that the participants experienced identity reconstruction by investing in their linguistic resources and practices and enacting their agency. Moreover, the participants’ study abroad experiences enabled them to develop a new way to invest in language learning and use, partly change their language attitudes towards accents and negotiate their identities through intercultural conflicts, which influenced the reconstruction of their previously imagined identities of native speakers of English. The study has important implications for teaching English as a second language and for preparing students to study abroad

Agency (philosophy · Identity (music · Identity negotiation · Intercultural communication · Linguistics · Narrative · Negotiation · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Study abroad · Unpacking · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching · Social Psychology

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