ERIC Number: EJ1127189
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Jun
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2203-4714
EISSN: N/A
Demonized Learners in Sociocultural Theory
Chen, Joanna
Advances in Language and Literary Studies, v7 n3 p168-177 Jun 2016
Within the frameworks of Sociocultural theory, particularly Vygotskian sociocultural theory and ZPD, Lave and Wenger's CoP, and contemporary sociocultural theory, this paper seeks to examine the unfavourable scholarly portrayal of learners and their identities based on learners' behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs about the social element of learning, particularly non-mainstream, non-normative behaviours. Such behaviours may be, to the learner, salient accompanying identity traits that were celebrated in one context but demonized in another. While learners have a degree of agency in subsequent critical, even hostile, settings, often this demonization leads to a degree of withdrawal, a retreat to grassroots rather than the mainstream, and a perpetration of accepted student norms. The deconstruction and critique of the "Good Language Learner" gives insight into dominant discourses and metanarratives. Further to this, we see implications of these academic discourses on practitioners, especially for Asian English language teachers, as well as recommendations.
Descriptors: Sociocultural Patterns, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Teachers, Self Concept, Student Attitudes, Behavior Standards, Criticism, Academic Discourse, Asians, Student Behavior, Communities of Practice, Learning Theories
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
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Language: English
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