Learning English and More
Multilingual Experiences and Identity Transformation of English Language Students in Australia
Date: Thursday, 06 May 2021
Time: 11:50 - 12:25
In this session, we present our ongoing research into what kind of transformative experiences international English language students have during their study in Australia. For many, the realities of living, working and socialising in multilingual environments do not reflect their pre-arrival expectations of studying in an English-speaking country. While we know a lot about what our learners experience in their classrooms and colleges, we are only beginning to understand how their out-of-class environments help shape both linguistic and non-linguistic aspects of study abroad.
We present findings from case studies of four English language students’ out-of-class experiences in multilingual Sydney. We will demonstrate that the path to second language learning is intertwined with personal and identity development as students navigate through their new international environments. We invite participants to consider the implications of our study for teaching approaches and their relevance for both on-campus and online students.
Sponsored by Macquarie University, Department of Linguistics
Bronze Sponsor
