Study abroad, identity, and attitude towards the English language

Abstract

Based on poststructuralism, identity refers to a sense of who people are and how they relate to the social world (Norton, 2000). Identity is not a fixed entity, but rather is socially constructed and changes over time. The plural form identities will also be used to denote multiplicity of identities. Importantly, when one looks into somebody’s identity, they need to see the process of identity construction and negotiation as a social phenomenon. I will also use the term sense of self to refer to one’s perception of oneself that may be relevant to them in/around a specific situation.