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Second Language Socialization as Sociocultural Theory: Insights and Issues
Patricia A. Duff
University of British Columbia
4:00 pm
Friday, September 22, 2006
Room TBA
Abstract
This presentation examines some of the main contributions and insights of second language (L2) socialization research to date, reflecting its roots in linguistic anthropology (e.g., examining indexicality) and in sociocultural approaches to learning and community membership (e.g., examining communities of practice). Examples are given from recent research with L2 learners in a variety of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education contexts (both face-to- face and online) that illustrate the difficulties many learners have entering into and negotiating new languages, genres, and communities, and mastering the new local conventions expected of them. Importantly, their challenges stem not only from their levels of linguistic competence in their L2, but also from the social, cultural and political contexts themselves, their personal histories, aspirations, and trajectories, and the ways in which they are positioned by themselves and by others in their learning. Future directions of L2 socialization research are outlined as well as some of the methodological and explanatory inadequacies of existing research.
This lecture is free and open to the public. Funding is from the College of Letters and Science Anonymous Fund and a gift from the Schoenleber Foundation.
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