Language Learning and Identity Creation for a Non-native Speaker

Scientific Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Pedagogy, Literature Studies, language: English, abstract: Linguistic identity is crucial in determining whether or not a language learner attains communicative competence in an L2. Belonging is seen as an integral part of identity formation. The need to belong or "fit in" provides both an intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in language learning. In the US, such factors as the school setting, various environmental factors, societal pressure, parental influences, as well as, the teaching profession have contributed to both L2 acquisition and subsequent L1 attrition. Simply put, some individuals and groups must give up their language and culture in order to "fit" into the American cultural milieu, which leads to L1 attrition for those individuals and groups.

I am an English-speaking Canadian, who has been teaching for the past 20 years, 16 of which have been in Japan. After receiving a B.A. from the University of Toronto (1994), I obtained a TESL certificate (1995) and a Masters in Applied Linguistics (2005). I have taught at a wide variety of businesses, jr. and sr. high schools, vocational colleges and universities in the Tokyo area. I have extensive experience teaching conversation; from absolute beginners to advanced levels, as well as listening and academic writing. I also have experience teaching Business English as well as TOEFL, TOEIC and SAT. My teaching style is based on the communicative approach to L2 instruction.