ERIC Number: EJ925674
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1534-8458
EISSN: N/A
Identity Construction as Nexus of Multimembership: Attempts at Reconciliation through an Online Intercultural Communication Course
Nelson, Gayle; Temples, Amanda Lanier
Journal of Language, Identity, and Education, v10 n2 p63-82 2011
Using situated learning (Lave & Wenger, 1991) and communities of practice (Wenger, 1998) as our theoretical framework, we focused on two female graduate students in applied linguistics as each attempted to negotiate memberships in multiple communities during an international exchange program. Eleven students at six universities took part in an internet-based intercultural communication course in addition to courses at their host universities, generating data in the form of online postings, final course papers, e-mails to the instructor, and retrospective evaluations. Ines, a Mexican student in Canada, appeared to reconcile her identity successfully as a nexus of multimembership. Adrienne, a U.S. student living in Mexico, attempted to participate in practices at her host university but felt marginalized. Our analysis demonstrates the difficulty, complexity, and sometimes the impossibility of reconciliation as a process for weaving a nexus of multimembership into one identity when encountering new practices across national borders. (Contains 2 tables and 3 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Language Teachers, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Student Attitudes, Communities of Practice, Graduate Students, Intercultural Communication, International Educational Exchange, Applied Linguistics, Exchange Programs, Foreign Countries, Self Concept, Online Courses, Females, Mexicans, North Americans, Electronic Mail, Foreign Students
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada; Mexico; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A