Access to Language Learning, Religion as Capital, and Embracing Multilingual Identity: The Journey of a Bangladeshi Muslim Migrant in Canada

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Ideology, Capital, and Agency: Immigrant and Multilingual Learners' Negotiation of Identity in Language Classrooms (Table 9)

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on a participant from a large-scale ongoing ethnographic study. The paper explores Abir’s (pseudonym) trajectory- a Muslim male international student from Bangladesh, his language learning endeavours, his use of religious social capitals, and multilingual repertoire to create social network within migrant and non-native speakers’ community. Conceptualizing language learning as a socially situated activity, I argue that Abir’s lack of access to target language speaking community enables him to invent strategies to learn ‘desired’ English. His religious social capital and linguistic capital provides him with opportunities to participate in social interactions, build friendship, and network with other ethnic groups that consequently boosts his confidence in social life.

Author

• Shaila Shams, Simon Fraser University