Sociocultural adaptation for Asian immigrant english language learners

Mazlina Che Mustafa

Abstract

This phenomenological study discusses sociocultural adaptation, as one of the findings emerged from the study, among Asian immigrant English language learners (ELLs) and their parents, as well as New Zealand early childhood teachers. The focus of the study is on the analysis of early childhood teachers? beliefs about how they can support English acquisition among Asian immigrant ELLs and how these beliefs influence the teachers? practices in early childhood education (ECE) settings as they adapt themselves.The theoretical framework of this research draws on a range of sociocultural perspectives, including (i) the sociocultural positions initially defined by Lev (1978); (ii) the notion of guided participation articulated by Barbara (2003) (iii) theories of second language acquisition discussed by Lantolf and Thorne (2000); and by Krashen (1982); Krashen (1985) and (iv) acculturation as addressed by Berry (2001). The main participants of this study were seven early childhood teachers and six Asian immigrant ELLs from two ECE centres. Four Asian parents participated in interviews to ascertain the parents? perspectives about their children?s learning of English and their maintenance of home language. Research methods for the teachers included observations and semi-structured pre- and post-observation interviews. For each centre, observations were carried out over a six week period which enabled a series of snapshots of how the teachers supported the ELLs as they acquired English. The findings were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that there were dissonances between the teachers? beliefs and their practices, as well as variation between individual teachers? beliefs and practices. This study will provide a basis from which to consider how early childhood teachers in New Zealand can draw upon sociocultural perspectives to better support ELLs as they acquire English, while valuing and supporting their linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

References

1. Barbara, R. (2003). The cultural nature of human development. Oxford University Press: New York

2. Berry (2001). A psychology of immigration. Journal of Social Issues, 57(3): 611–27.

3. Berry (2005). Acculturation: Living successfully in two cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(6): 697-712.

4. Berry (2006). Stress perspectives on acculturation. In D. L.Sam & J. W. Berry (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology. Cambridge University Press: New York, NY. 43–57.

5. Berry (2012). Acculturation. In H. Anheier, & M. Juergensmeyer (Eds.), Encyclopedia of global studies. CA: SAGE: Thousand Oaks.

6. Chao, R. and Tseng, V. (2002). Parenting of Asians. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), Handbook of parenting: Social conditions and applied parenting. 2nd edn: Lawrence Erlbaum: Mahwah, NJ. 59-93.

7. Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. CA: SAGE: Thousand Oaks.

8. Farquhar, S. and Fleer, M. (2007). Developmental colonisation of early childhood education in Aoteraroa/ New Zealand. In L. Keesing-Styles & H. Hedges (Eds.), Theorising early childhood practice: Emerging dialogues(pp. Pademelon Press: Australia Sydney. 27-49.

9. Hofstede (1980). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values. Sage: Beverly Hills, CA.

10. Kim (2001). Becoming intercultural: An integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. CA: SAGE: Thousand Oaks.

11. Kim and Hinchey, P. H. (2013). Educating English language learners in an inclusive environment. Peter Lang: New York, NY.

12. Krashen (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon Press: Oxford.

13. Krashen (1985). The input hypothesis: Issues and implications. Longman: Harlow.

14. Lantolf and Thorne (2000). Second language acquisition theory and the truth(s) about relativity. In J. Lantolf (Ed.), Sociocultural approaches to second language research. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

15. Lev, V. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes, Ed. James V. Wertsch. Harvard University Press: Cambridge:.

16. Liebkind, K. (2006). Ethnic identity and acculturation. In D. L. Sam & J.W. Berry (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology. Cambridge University Press: New York, NY.

17. Masgoret, A. M. and Ward, C. (2006). The cultural learning approach to acculturation. In D.L. Sam & J.W. Berry (Eds.), Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK. 58–77.

18. Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. CA: Jossey-Bass: San Francisco.

19. Oppedal (2006). Development and acculturation. In D. L. Sam & J. W. Berry (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of acculturation psychology. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.

20. Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. CA: SAGE: Thousand Oaks.

21. Phinney, J. S., Horenczyk, G., Liebkind, K. and Vedder, P. (2001). Ethnic, identity, immigration and well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 57(3): 493-510.

22. Sam (2006). Adaptation of children and adolescents with immigrant background: Acculturation or development? In M.H. Bornstein & L. Cote (Eds.), Acculturation and parent child relationship: Measurement and development. Erlbaum.: Mahwah, NJ.

23. Searle, W. and Ward, C. (1990). The prediction of psychological and sociocultural adjustment during crosscultural transitions. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 14(4): 449-64.

24. Smith, A. B. (2013). Understanding children and childhood: A New Zealand perspective. Bridget Williams: Wellington, New Zealand.

25. Van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. State University of New York Press: Albany, NY.

26. Ward, C. and Kennedy, A. (1996). Crossing cultures: The relationship between psychological and sociocultural dimensions of sojourner adaptation. In J. Pandey, D. Sinha, & D. P. S. Bhawuk (Eds.), Asian contributions to cross-cultural psychology. SAGE: New Delhi, India.