Open Access Article Intercultural Communication

An Exploratory Investigation of Asian Students’ Sense of Dignity in a Non-native English Language Learning Context A Case Study

Noparat Tananuraksakul (1)
1. Department of International Communication Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy Macquarie University North Ryde, NSW 2109 Australia
https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v9i1.474

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Issue
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2009)
Submitted
2007 August 24
Published
2009 March 10
Keywords:
    Non-native English, Language Learning Context, Asian students
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Abstract

This paper explores how learning English affects Asian students’ sense of dignity in an Australian social environment, and how they deal with negative encounters at school, at work and at public places. The research methodology used was in-depth interviews with seven postgraduate international students from six different countries in Asia and a convenient snowball sampling. Regardless of the non-native students’ English proficiency test results, they all encountered language and cultural obstacles during their transition to the Australian social environment. Their prior motivation and attitudes vis-à-vis English language learning in their homeland positively impacted on their responses to those obstacles. Such obstacles affected their well-being and sense of dignity negatively because mastering English is seen as an accomplishment.

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Authors

Noparat Tananuraksakul
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Author Biography

Noparat Tananuraksakul

Noparat Tananuraksakul is currently a first-year PhD candidate, International Communication, Macquarie University. Her PhD thesis project is a continuation of the present paper findings which aim to explore the impacts of English language proficiency on non-native English speaking background students’ perceptions of their English competence, security and dignity. Their past attitudes and motivation on their present expectations and responses to negative experiences in the social context of EIL are as well included.

Tananuraksakul, N. (2009). An Exploratory Investigation of Asian Students’ Sense of Dignity in a Non-native English Language Learning Context: A Case Study. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 9(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v9i1.474
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Tananuraksakul, N. (2009). An Exploratory Investigation of Asian Students’ Sense of Dignity in a Non-native English Language Learning Context: A Case Study. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 9(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v9i1.474