A Phenomenological Study of How Black South African University
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A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF HOW BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS EXPERIENCE CULTURAL IDENTITY IN AN ENGLISH-MEDIUM INSTRUCTION CONTEXT by Arthur Atwater Kent Cason Jr. Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University 2021 2 A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF HOW BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS EXPERIENCE CULTURAL IDENTITY IN AN ENGLISH-MEDIUM INSTRUCTION CONTEXT by Arthur Atwater Kent Cason Jr. A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 2021 APPROVED BY: Lucinda S. Spaulding, Ph.D., Committee Chair James A. Swezey, Ed.D., Committee Member 3 ABSTRACT The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experience of cultural identity in an English-medium instruction context for Black university students in South Africa. Data were collected from 10 Black South African university students representing a cross-section of South African society. In-depth individual interviews were used as the primary data collection method complemented by a focus group interview and self-reflection letters written to a hypothetical new student in which the participant recalls his or her experience with cultural identity. Data analysis followed Moustakas’ methodology involving bracketing biases, horizonalization, organizing and classifying significant statements into themes, writing the textural and structural descriptions of participants’ experiences, then integrating the textural and structural descriptions into a unified statement of the essences of the experience of the phenomenon. The findings from this study demonstrate that English as a foreign language student’s cultural identity negotiation is influenced by a complex and intense interaction of multiple cultures. The participants expressed a tension between the received traditions of his or her tribal communities and the call to national identity. In the social context of the university, the participants were further presented with English as the dominant culture embodied in the language of instruction. Significantly, the participants’ experience of cultural conflict with the dominant culture was regulated by his or her level of English-language proficiency and involvement in a social support group. Keywords: English-medium instruction, cultural identity, social identity, self-efficacy, Africa, university students, phenomenology 4 Copyright Page © 2021 Arthur Atwater Kent Cason Jr. All rights reserved 5 Dedication With thanks and deepest appreciation, I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my loving and patient wife, Sarah, who encouraged and supported me through this process. You believed in me when I did not. I would not have been able to do this without you. This is our accomplishment. 6 Acknowledgements Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21, ESV) To God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, be all the praise for equipping and sustaining me. To my committee, Dr. Lucinda Spaulding and Dr. James Swezey. Thank you both for your support, encouragement, and willingness to step in when things were otherwise uncertain. To Dr. Lovemore Manaka. Thank you for your friendship, inspiration, and obedience to God. Without you, I would not have had the experiences that have made me what I am today. To the students and fellow instructors at Phumelela Bible College. You taught me that there is no challenge that cannot be overcome by God’s grace and power. To Dr. Morgan “Dr. Bum” Phenix. Thank you for encouraging me to tell the story. 7 Table of Contents ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................3 Copyright Page.................................................................................................................................4 Dedication ........................................................................................................................................5 Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................6 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................7 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................13 List of Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................14 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................15 Overview ........................................................................................................................................15 Background ....................................................................................................................................16 Historical ............................................................................................................................16 Social..................................................................................................................................21 Theoretical .........................................................................................................................26 Situation of Self .............................................................................................................................27 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................................29 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................................30 Significance of Study .....................................................................................................................31 Research Questions ........................................................................................................................33 Definitions......................................................................................................................................36 Summary ........................................................................................................................................38 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................40 Overview ........................................................................................................................................70 8 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................................42 Cultural Identity Theory and Cultural Identity Negotiation Theory ..................................43 Social Identity Theory........................................................................................................50 Self-Efficacy Theory ..........................................................................................................58 Related Literature...........................................................................................................................61 English-Medium Instruction ..............................................................................................61 Language and Identity........................................................................................................68 Language and Power Relations ..........................................................................................70 Summary ........................................................................................................................................75 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS ..................................................................................................77 Overview ........................................................................................................................................77 Design ............................................................................................................................................77 Research Questions ........................................................................................................................81 Setting ............................................................................................................................................82 Participants .....................................................................................................................................86 Procedures ......................................................................................................................................88 The Researcher’s Role ...................................................................................................................88 Data Collection ..............................................................................................................................88 Interviews ...........................................................................................................................90