Language Learning: Student Stories IV (Penner, 2013)

There were 4 major findings in this study of Refugee and Immigrant students in a language learning classroom (Penner, 2013).  While students used their first languages for understanding and pronunciation, as well as strongly identified with their first languages, intercultural interactions and a community of learners was also observed.

4.  First Languages Facilitates a Community of Learners

The students in this multilingual learning community referred to the community of learners, both in informal conversations as well as in the interviews for this research.  Ali* is a student who arrived in Canada from Pakistan, three months prior to this study:

"Cause I have friends who understand my language."  (Ali*)

 "Um, there's a lot of friends that's from another country and like India, Pakistan.  They speak Urdu, Punjabi, English and Spanish and French." (Jieyi*)

"It's good to have friends in our same languages and it's good to have other ones too.  We can learn about that too." (Manmeet*)

"If we can't use our language for, in school, for me that might be hard." (John*)

1st Languages & Identity in Language Learning (Penner, 2013)

For more information regarding Refugee and Immigrant Language Learning, 

contact Cynthia Penner M. Ed. at the following:

pennerconsulting@gmail.com

or 

Penner Consulting