Balancing goals and emotional responses to learning Chinese as a heritage language

dc.contributor.advisorSchallert, Diane L.en
dc.creatorChen, Yu-Jung, 1977-en
dc.date.accessioned2008-08-28T23:11:51Zen
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-11T22:17:32Z
dc.date.available2008-08-28T23:11:51Zen
dc.date.available2017-05-11T22:17:32Z
dc.date.issued2006en
dc.descriptiontexten
dc.description.abstractThis study explored the learning experience of Chinese heritage language learners, focusing on the interaction of their multiple goals, their emotional responses, as well as the influence of their experience in their family and formal school contexts. The settings of this study were the sixth to eighth grade classes at two local community Chinese schools. Data were collected from multiple sources including students' responses to a self-report questionnaire, interviews with teachers, interviews with 19 focal students and their parents, and a semester-long retrospective observation journal. Data were analyzed using coding procedures suggested by Strauss and Corbin (1998) from a grounded theory qualitative approach. Results indicated that perceptions of Chinese school learning affected students' motivational goals and their emotional responses in the Chinese learning experience. These perceptions included (a) perceptions of the Chinese learning environment (instructional methods, teachers' characteristics, and peer influence), (b) perceptions of their ability, (c) perceptions of values and beliefs, and (d) perceptions of their available time and schedule. Students in this study reported having both learning intention goals (categorized as integrative and instrumental goals) as well as well-being (social and work-avoidance) goals. Students also reported experiencing both positive emotions (enjoyment, pride) and negative emotions (boredom, anger) in the Chinese learning context. The contextual factors, including students' formal school experience and their family experience also seemed to influence directly or indirectly students' perceptions of Chinese school learning as well as their motivational goals and emotional responses. How students balanced their multiple goals and their multiple emotions determined the extent of students' willingness to attend Chinese school, the extent of their engagement in learning Chinese, as well as the extent of their acknowledgement of their Chinese identity. Implications for research and practice are discussed.en
dc.description.departmentEducational Psychologyen
dc.format.mediumelectronicen
dc.identifierb66063073en
dc.identifier.oclc164437382en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2152/2842en
dc.language.isoengen
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.en
dc.subject.lcshChinese language--Study and teaching--English speakers--United States--Psychological aspects--Case studiesen
dc.subject.lcshMotivation (Psychology)en
dc.subject.lcshLearning, Psychology ofen
dc.titleBalancing goals and emotional responses to learning Chinese as a heritage languageen
dc.type.genreThesisen

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