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Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience

This paper discusses how three young Malaysian children aged six developed an identity while experiencing second language acquisition (SLA). It illustrates how language difference which is an aspect of diversity has lead learners to develop an identity as language learners. The discussion is base...

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Main Author: Hamidah Yamat,
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit UKM 2012
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4927/1/pp%2520495_504.pdf
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4927/
http://pkukmweb.ukm.my/~ppbl/Gema/gemahome.html
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spelling my-ukm.journal.49272016-12-14T06:37:19Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4927/ Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience Hamidah Yamat, This paper discusses how three young Malaysian children aged six developed an identity while experiencing second language acquisition (SLA). It illustrates how language difference which is an aspect of diversity has lead learners to develop an identity as language learners. The discussion is based on the findings of an ethnographic case study on three young Malaysian children’s SLA experiences in the United Kingdom (U.K). The aim of this study is to gather insights from these children about their SLA experiences while attending a mainstream school and living in the U.K. This is to enhance our understanding about the process. The children were interviewed as individuals and as a group; and were observed at school and home. Transcripts of the interviews and observations were examined closely to identify themes for analysis and discussion. The findings indicate that the children experienced SLA as a socialization process in which the target language was being used to get on with life in a mainstream classroom and at home. The findings indicated several factors that might have an impact on the children’s SLA. One that had a significant impact was that the children, without their awareness, were developing an identity in dealing with diversity. Penerbit UKM 2012-05 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4927/1/pp%2520495_504.pdf Hamidah Yamat, (2012) Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience. GEMA: Online Journal of Language Studies, 12 (2 (spe). pp. 495-504. ISSN 1675-8021 http://pkukmweb.ukm.my/~ppbl/Gema/gemahome.html
institution Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
building Perpustakaan Tun Sri Lanang Library
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
content_source UKM Journal Article Repository
url_provider http://journalarticle.ukm.my/
language English
description This paper discusses how three young Malaysian children aged six developed an identity while experiencing second language acquisition (SLA). It illustrates how language difference which is an aspect of diversity has lead learners to develop an identity as language learners. The discussion is based on the findings of an ethnographic case study on three young Malaysian children’s SLA experiences in the United Kingdom (U.K). The aim of this study is to gather insights from these children about their SLA experiences while attending a mainstream school and living in the U.K. This is to enhance our understanding about the process. The children were interviewed as individuals and as a group; and were observed at school and home. Transcripts of the interviews and observations were examined closely to identify themes for analysis and discussion. The findings indicate that the children experienced SLA as a socialization process in which the target language was being used to get on with life in a mainstream classroom and at home. The findings indicated several factors that might have an impact on the children’s SLA. One that had a significant impact was that the children, without their awareness, were developing an identity in dealing with diversity.
format Article
author Hamidah Yamat,
spellingShingle Hamidah Yamat,
Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
author_facet Hamidah Yamat,
author_sort Hamidah Yamat,
title Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
title_short Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
title_full Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
title_fullStr Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
title_full_unstemmed Developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
title_sort developing identity in diversity: a second language acquisition experience
publisher Penerbit UKM
publishDate 2012
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4927/1/pp%2520495_504.pdf
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4927/
http://pkukmweb.ukm.my/~ppbl/Gema/gemahome.html
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score 13.211869

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