Publication Date

Spring 4-1-2023

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Master of Arts in TESOL)

First Advisor

Dr. Leslie Turpin

Abstract

Language learners who relocate voluntarily to different countries where their native tongue is not the primary spoken language, often uncover and learn aspects of who they are, that is, their identity and user agency. Through personal experience relocating, I intend to share the phenomenon of identity de/re- construction being immersed in another language and culture, moving in between my ‘original’ home country and the ‘new home,’ all while not being able to experience both former and latter identities at the same time (physically). This study will explore what I coin as an ‘identity spectrum’ through first person narratives (interviews) to expand on a shared experience, while honoring the individual nature of the stories. This study has a similar interest and is inspired by Third Culture Kids (TCK), but, it explores those moving abroad past the first 18 years of age and consequently experiencing a shift in who they are while acquiring a new language, culture, and self.

Disciplines

Applied Linguistics | Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | First and Second Language Acquisition

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