Language, Culture and Identity in Two Chinese Community Schools: More Than One Way of Being Chinese?

This book investigates the social, political and educational role of community language education in migratory contexts. It draws on an ethnographic study that investigates the significance of Mandarin-Chinese community schooling in Britain as an intercultural space for those involved. To understand the interrelation of ‘language’, ‘culture’ and ‘identity’, the book adopts a ‘bricolage’ approach that brings together a range of theoretical perspectives. This book challenges homogenous and stereotypical constructions of Chinese language, culture and identity – such as the image of Chinese pupils as conformist and deferent learners – that are often repeated both in the media and in academic discussion.

Sara Ganassin is Lecturer in applied linguistics and communication in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle University, UK. She is the author of Language, Culture and Identity in Two Chinese Community Schools. More than One Way of Being Chinese? (2020, Multilingual Matters).