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Article published In: Qualitative Research on Language Learning Strategies and Self-Regulation
Edited by Nathan Thomas, Jason Schneider and Sihan Zhou
[AILA Review 37:2] 2024
► pp. 290–308

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Adult migrants’ Norwegian language learning investment strategies in the workplace

 | University of Oslo
Published online: 18 November 2024
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/aila.24032.aru
Abstract
Learning the host country’s language(s) is a necessary step toward social and professional inclusion for migrants. However, it is often regarded as a challenging task that depends heavily on the sociocultural context in which migrants are situated. This study explores the Norwegian language learning strategies of highly educated Indonesians outside the classroom, particularly in the workplace, in Norway. Following the social turn in second language learning research, the study aims to investigate how social context influences migrants’ strategies for learning Norwegian. The data were collected through a combination of qualitative methods consisting of sequential in-depth interviews, language diaries, and focus group discussions with four focal participants, including both recently arrived and long-term migrants. Based on Darvin, R., & Norton, B. (2015). Identity and a model of investment in applied linguistics. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 351, 36–56. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar investment model, participants’ narratives of their reported language learning strategies are analyzed in relation to language ideology, identity, and capital in their language learning experiences. The findings from this study suggest that migrant learners’ ideal learning strategies are influenced by their language ideologies. However, different contextual factors, such as work tasks and roles, have a considerable impact on their learning opportunities, and consequently, on why and how they end up using certain learning strategies but not others. Migrants’ professional identities also play an important role in their strategy choice and use. By analyzing migrant learners’ narratives, this study provides a nuanced and learner-centered understanding of language learning strategies in the context of migration in the globalized world. This study also contributes new insights into the use of learning strategies of languages other than English by adult migrant learners inside and beyond the classroom.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Language learning strategies and investment
  • Methods
  • Findings
  • Language learning strategies and professional legitimacy
  • Language learning strategies and the value of linguistic capital in the workplace
  • Discussions and conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
    • Disclosure statement
  • References
References (51)
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Mohebbi, Hassan & Maryam Barghamadi
2025. The Routledge handbook of multilingualism. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 28:8 ► pp. 1029 ff. DOI logo
Thomas, Nathan, Jason Schneider & Sihan Zhou
2024. Qualitative research on language learning strategies and self-regulation. AILA Review 37:2 ► pp. 177 ff. DOI logo

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