Narrative Study on Student Identity in Acquiring Language

Abstract

In general, research on English in Indonesia discusses the challenges and motivations in learning English. Very few researchers have investigated the identity construction process carried out by EFL (English Foreign Language) students in Indonesia through their personal life experiences. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between students' identity and their English mastery. The research questions raised in this study include; How does student identity affect their capacity to acquire language? And also how can learning a language reconstruct one's identity? This study uses data collection techniques in the form of in-depth interviews with students who have different identities. The focus of this research is on the process of learning English as a foreign language; regarding the motivation of participants; and how he was exposed to English. The findings of this study indicate that student identity affects students' language acquisition. Early awareness of diversity results in students' cognitive thinking and behaviour patterns. Thus it can help their mastery of English. In addition, other findings show that learning a language can affect and even reconstruct one's identity.