Language learning as a practice of self-formation

Language learning as a practice of self-formation

• Hennig, Barbara Bycent Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong and Dept of Studies, International House - Collegium Palatinum, Heidelberg, Germany

International Journal of Multilingualism, 7(4), 306-321, 2010

Routledge

2010

• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GF Humanities & Arts

Language & Languages -- Study & Teaching German Language -- Study & Teaching -- Foreign Speakers Chinese Students Motivation (Psychology) Personality & Academic Achievement Empirical Research Ethics dentity Language Learning Motivation Self-Formation

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Post-Secondary Education

This article explores the motivation to learn German for learners already proficient in English as a second language. Discussed are parts of the findings of an empirical study investigating the motivation of 12 Chinese students to study German as a major at a university in Hong Kong. The data collected for the duration of two academic semesters through interviews and diary entries indicated that language learning was seen as a practice through which students attempted to attain a certain kind of individuality. By drawing on Foucault's concept of ethical self-formation, an alternative theoretical framework was designed to analyse the students' reason for learning German, which were investigated under the four themes characteristic of Foucault's ethical self-formation: (a) what parts of the learners' selves are concerned with learning German? (b) what ethical values and beliefs do learners attach to their learning German? (c) how do learners apply German in their daily life? and (d) what are the learners' goals for learning German? Given the significance, the learning of an additional language was ascribed to the development of the students' selves, the article recommends a pedagogy that stronger integrates aspects of self-formation into language teaching.
[Copyright of International Journal of Multilingualism is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2010.503897]

• English

Journal Articles

• 14790718

• 10.1080/14790718.2010.503897

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/9ef74206

2010-12-24