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A two-case study on CSL learners’ agency in classroom settings from the perspective of language socialization

  • Shaoqian Luo and Zhoucong Si

    Zhoucong Si is a postgraduate student in the School of Foreign Languages and Literature at Beijing Normal University. He is learning to conduct academic studies in the field of second language acquisition and has expressed particular interest in issues relating to sociolinguistics and language socialization.

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Published/Copyright: September 15, 2022
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Abstract

Examining the learner agency expressed by two learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL), the current two-case study was conducted from the perspective of language socialization. Qualitative data have been collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis reveals that the two cases in the current study exhibited eight forms of learner agency in their CSL learning, including self-determination, self-motivation, self-regulation, participation, cooperation, negotiation, hesitancy and resistance. In addition, learner agency observed in the two cases is constantly mediated by multiple sociocultural factors in specific contexts of CSL socialization. The results of the current study imply the socioculturally mediated essence of learner agency and suggest that learner agency develops through a temporal course and is constrained by social structures.

摘要

本研究是语言社会化理论视角下的个案研究。借助课堂实地观察和半结构式访谈等质性手段,本研究对2名外国留学生在为期4个月的汉语二语学习过程中所表现出的能动性进行考察,结果显示:2名研究参与者的学习者能动性表现为自我决策、自我驱动、自我调控、参与、合作、协商、犹疑和抵触等8种形式。诸多社会文化中介因素,包括语言社群、汉语语言文化、教师课堂教学、参与者既往经历及参与者个人的社会属性等,在具体的汉语社会化情境中,对能动性的发挥产生不同的影响。以上结果表明,学习者能动性是社会文化中介作用下的产物,在学习者持续的语言社会化过程中受到社会文化因素的持续调控而不断演进,呈现出明显的时间线性特征。


Corresponding author: Zhoucong Si, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Beijing Normal University, Office 909, Houzhulou, Xinjiekouwai Street (#19), Haidian District, 100875 Beijing, China, E-mail:

About the author

Zhoucong Si

Zhoucong Si is a postgraduate student in the School of Foreign Languages and Literature at Beijing Normal University. He is learning to conduct academic studies in the field of second language acquisition and has expressed particular interest in issues relating to sociolinguistics and language socialization.

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Published Online: 2022-09-15
Published in Print: 2022-10-26

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