International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning
2013 July, Volume 2 Number 3, 81-93
© The Authors / Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs CC BY-NC-ND
The portrait of an Iranian as an English Language Learner:
A case of identity reconstruction
Khatib, Mohammad
Department of English Language and Literature, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Iran (mkhatib27@yahoo.com)
Rezaei, Saeed
Allameh Tabataba’i University and Sharif University of Technology, Iran (srezaei@sharif.edu)
Received: 13 August 2012 Revised: 11 September 2012 Accepted: 13 September 2012
Available Online: 6 October 2012 DOI: 10.5861/ijrsll.2012.176
ISSN: 2243-7754
Online ISSN: 2243-7762
OPEN ACCESS
Abstract
This is a case study exploring an Iranian English language learner’s identity within the Iranian
EFL context and its potential relation with the success/failure and age of the learner. Also the
learner’s inclination to his Persian identity, cultural norms, values and pronunciation patterns
is investigated. In order to do so, in-depth interviewing and ethnographic observation were
employed. The data collection and analysis procedure occurred between February and April,
2011 in Tehran. After the data were collected through interviewing and field notes in the
ethnographic observation, they were transcribed and later turned into the participant’s life
story. Important themes were dug out of the data using narrative analysis. The emerging
themes from the current study were revealing about the participant’s identity and gave a
portrait of the participant as an Iranian English language learner and his identity. Finally, the
implications, limitations and future directions for this study are discussed.
Keywords: case study; ethnographic observation; identity; interview; Iran(ian); language