Development of a Validated Model for English Learners’ Cultural Identity: Using Their Perceptions and Attitudes

Subject Areas : All areas of language and translation

Sharareh Ebrahimi ¹

1 - Department of English Language, Qeshm Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran

Received: 2021-01-23 Accepted : 2021-03-02 Published : 2023-04-01

Keywords: culture, Cultural Identity, EFL learners, Validated Model,

Abstract :

Knowing a language and communicating with the speakers of that language require learning about the culture of the native speakers of that language. The aim of this study was to develop a validated model of cultural identity among Iranian English learners. Initially, it was attempted to determine different factors of cultural identity based on the learners’ perceptions about cultural identity to develop a model. Thus, 20 EFL learners studying at Safir English language institute in Tehran, Iran were interviewed about their cultural identity and their attitudes were recorded. Considering qualitative phase, a close inspection of the responses of these learners in the interviews and going through three stages of open, axial and selective coding, four factors including “religion, culture, nationality, and language” were extracted. After that, a questionnaire indicating factors of cultural identity was constructed. In the quantitative phase, the questionnaire went through an exploratory factor analysis for the sake of validity and after a pilot study with 183 learners, 384 EFL learners filled it out. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was also run through LISREL 8.8. to confirm that the proposed model enjoyed validity for future research by running a confirmatory factor analysis and the model of cultural identity was developed. The findings of this study can make English teachers and materials developers aware of these important findings to be prepared to help the learners with possible challenges in English classes.

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Biodata
Dr. Sharareh Ebrahimi is a university lecturer who has been teaching TEFL and translation courses at Azad University, Tehran North Branch for some years. She's also an English teacher teaching in different institutes for about twelve years. She has authored several research papers in different areas related to ELT. However, her main areas of interest are language teaching, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics.
Email address: [e-mail]