This phenomenological study explored the experiences of skilled women immigrants who were currently or previously had been involved in improving their English proficiency. I interviewed eight skilled women from seven countries in an effort to describe their experiences of the migration phenomenon to understand the relationships between language socialization, identity reconstruction, and their sense of future or possible selves. All of the women had been involved in a language program at a local literacy center currently or previously. During the interviews, the women discussed their lives in their home countries, what they imagined their new lives in the United States would be like, and how language proficiency had factored into their current situations. Specifically, the interview questions and resulting conversations, survey instruments, and personal journals attempted to gain insight into whether skilled women immigrants have a sense of identity loss or change before, during, and after migration; if language learning plays a role in the reconstruction of identity; to what degree women immigrants seek out language programs to rebuild their personal identities; and whether skilled women immigrants perceive language learning as a transformational movement toward their possible selves. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2014. / March 27, 2014. / Acculturation, Identity, Language socialization, Possible selves, Skilled women immigrants / Includes bibliographical references. / Peter B. Easton, Professor Directing Dissertation; Michael Leeser, University Representative; Jeffrey Ayala Milligan, Committee Member; Robert A. Schwartz, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_185237 |
| Contributors | Ennemoser, Mary Shirah (authoraut), Easton, Peter B. (professor directing dissertation), Leeser, Michael (university representative), Milligan, Jeffrey Ayala (committee member), Schwartz, Robert A. (committee member), Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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