Refiguring the Professional Identities of Transnational Foreign Language Teachers in the United States

• In Event: Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Division I Poster Session

Abstract

This study examined how transnational teachers negotiate the cultural and educational practices in U.S. foreign language classrooms, and how they create their own teaching third space at the core of their professional identities. Findings showed that the transnational teachers’ professional identity formation processes were complex and ongoing. Viewed from the third space framework, teaching in the new settings is a constant construction and reform process of professional identity. There is a great deal of ambiguity in their everyday teaching practices and negotiation of meaning throughout the processes as they demonstrated their in-between personalities. This study provides profound insights to understand complex process of transnational teachers’ professional identity formation.

Authors

• HyeKyoung Lee, Utah State University

• Stephen I. Tucker, Utah State University