Adolescent Multilinguals' Engagement With Religion in a Book Club

• In Event: 72.049 - Roundtable Session 34
  In Roundtable Session: 72.049-6 - Developing Literacy in English Language Learners

Abstract

The study examines four adolescent multilinguals’ engagement with religion as well as its outcomes in an out-of-school book club. The qualitative analysis of participants’ talk in book club meetings, writing responses, and individual interviews has revealed that multilinguals tap into their religious knowledge and identities in making sense of secular literature. Talks about religion in literature discussion led to conflicts and tensions, but they gained academic and social competence as learners of English as an additional language (EAL). This investigation contributes to the scarce body of literature around the interconnectedness between religion, identity, and literacy. It also adds to the field by depicting interactions of EAL learners from diverse religious backgrounds, nonbelievers as well as believers in Hinduism and Islam.

Authors

• Jayoung Choi, Georgia State University

• Gertrude M. Tinker Sachs, Georgia State University

• Myoung Eun Pang, Georgia State University

• Aram Cho, Georgia State University

• Ji Hye Shin, Georgia State University