'English Is a Subject That You Should Teach Yourself': Power and Learner Identity in the Language Introduction Programme in Sweden

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education. University of Ljubljana Kardeljeva plošcad 16. Slovenia. Tel: +386-1-5892-344; e-mail: editors@cepsj.si; Web site: https://ojs.cepsj.si/index.php/cepsj/index

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22

Foreign Countries; Power Structure; Self Concept; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Programs; Student Attitudes; Immigrants; Language Proficiency; Transitional Programs; Language Attitudes; Swedish; Native Language; Learning Processes; Ethnography; Multilingualism; Secondary School Students

1855-9719
2232-2647

This article explores students' perspectives on English language learning in relation to the Language Introduction Programme in Sweden, which is an individual transitional programme for newly arrived immigrants and seeks to quickly transition adolescents into further education or the job market. High proficiency in English is vital in Swedish society, and insufficient knowledge of English can lead to negative long-term consequences for both individuals and society regarding inequality. The methodology used is based on linguistic ethnography, and the data for this article consists of eight semi-structured interviews with students in the programme at one school. Foucauldian perspectives are used to analyse power and the construction of language ideologies relating to the multilingual English-language classroom and learner identity. The results show that the importance of proficiency in English for a successful educational transition from the Language Introduction Programme is rarely communicated to students. Furthermore, English is positioned as a subject of low importance within the organisation. The results also show that monolingual norms and language hierarchies limit the students' ability to use their first language when learning English.

As Provided

2024

EJ1449479