Bicultural or Hybrid? The Second Language Identities of Students on an English-Mediated University Program in Sweden

Abstract

It has been suggested that in foreign language learning and ELF situations, identity might not be implicated in any great extent. Focusing on the impact globalization has on identities, the purpose of this study is to consider whether identity might be involved in Swedish students’ reasons for enrolling on an English-medium university program and, if so, the types of identities students construct. Analyses of data from interviews with 11 students revealed that identities do play a role in students’ enrolment reasons. However, rather than the bicultural identities identified in previous motivational research, the identities emerging here appear hybrid in nature. Along with other recent research, the results indicate that in contexts where English has a prominent social/societal/cultural presence it is implicated in identity construction, and that there is a relationship between identity and ELF.

Key words:

• bicultural identities
• English as a lingua franca (ELF)
• English medium instruction
• globalization
• hybrid identities
• identity
• motivation

Notes

¹ This is a reference to the fact that the program includes an internship that can be undertaken abroad.