ERIC Number: EJ1445896
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1931-3152
EISSN: EISSN-1931-3160
"It's Difficult, but It's Worth It": Saudi Mothers' Investment in Their Children's Arabic Heritage Learning in the U.S.
International Multilingual Research Journal, v18 n4 p395-412 2024
This case study delves into the experiences of three Saudi mothers living in the United States, exploring their evolving understanding of their children's language needs and the obstacles they face as learners of Arabic heritage language (AHL). The study is rooted in the notion of language as a form of capital and Bonny Norton's metaphor of investment in language learning. It examines how AHL serves as a multifaceted form of social, cultural, and academic capital for their children's present and future lives in both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Through individual, semi-structured interviews, the study unveils the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by the mothers in maintaining their children's AHL. The findings illustrate three distinct stages in the children's language learning journey, initially emphasizing English as the predominant language with capital in the U.S. followed by a crucial shift toward recognizing the significance of AHL preservation. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the nuanced role of AHL as an essential asset and its interconnectedness as a dynamic cultural and academic resource. The implications extend to social inclusion and identity formation, enriching our understanding of the intricate interplay between language, culture, and identity development.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Arabic, Native Language, Arabs, Mothers, Parent Participation, Barriers, Cultural Capital, Social Capital, Human Capital, Foreign Nationals, Second Language Learning, Parent Role, Language Maintenance, Mother Attitudes, Language Attitudes, Parent Background, Educational Attainment, Graduate Students, Children, English Language Learners
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A