Identifying EFL Learners’ Psychosocial Identity Orientation and its Relationship with their Interlanguage Pragmatic Achievement
Keywords:
Globalization, glocalization, identity orientation, pragmaticsAbstract
Previous research has not analyzed the identity orientation of EFL (English as Foreign Language) learners based on the glocalization view of teaching English. Hence, the current study attempted to determine the identity orientation of EFL learners based on three identity orientations of global, local, and glocal. Next, it investigated the relationship between EFL learners’ identity orientation and their interlanguage pragmatic achievement. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, an EFL Learner Identity Orientation Questionnaire and a Pragmatic Performance DCT (Discourse Completion Test) were handed to 120 EFL learners. The data were analyzed through the Pearson correlation test using SPSS version 26. Findings indicated that EFL learners were mostly glocally oriented in terms of social identity orientation. The second most frequent identity was local and global identity orientation had the lowest frequency. The Pearson correlation test did not show a statistically significant correlation between having a global and local identity and pragmatic performance. However, a statistically significant correlation was seen between having a glocal identity orientation (r = .34, P <.01) and pragmatic performance.
Downloads
References
1. Norton B. Identity and language learning: Extending the conversation. 2nd ed: Multilingual Matters; 2013.
2. Ushioda E, Dörnyei Z. Beyond global English: Motivation to learn languages in a multicultural world: Introduction to the special issue. The Modern Language Journal. 2017;101(3):451-4. doi: 10.1111/modl.12407.
3. Mahmood AH, Hassan ZM. Language learning and learner's self-identity: A psycho-pragmatic study of EFL learners in Kurdistan region. Zankoi Slemani Magazine for Humanity Science. 2018;53:187-203.
4. Khatib M, Ghamari MR. Mutual relations of identity and foreign language learning: An overview of linguistic and sociolinguistic approaches to identity. Theory and Practice in Language Studies. 2011;1(12):1701-8. doi: 10.4304/tpls.1.12.1701-1708.
5. Pishghadam R, Sadeghi M. Home culture attachment and access to social/cultural capital: A case of Iranian English foreign language teachers. African Journal of Social Sciences. 2011;1(3):56-65.
6. Yang J, Seyed Alitabar SH. The Effects of School Size on Student Participation and Sense of Community. Iranian Journal of Educational Sociology. 2024;7(1):205-11. doi: 10.61838/kman.ijes.7.1.20.
7. Tsou WL. From globalization to glocalization: Rethinking English language teaching in response to the ELF phenomenon. English as a Global Language Education (EaGLE) Journal. 2015;1(1):47-63.
8. Fahimniya F, Rahimifar K. Identity reconstruction of Iranian EFL and non-EFL learners as a result of exposure to English as a foreign language. Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences. 2015;5(S2):1284-93.
9. Gao Y, editor English learning and identity construction in the Chinese EFL context. The Sixth Pacific Second Language Research Forum (PacSLRF) & The Third National Symposium on SLA; 2008; Beijing, China.
10. Rezaeinejad H. A Study of Language and Identity as Neocolonial Means in Firoozeh Dumas’ Funny in Farsi. K Ta. 2023;25(2):137-50. doi: 10.9744/kata.25.2.137-150.
11. Taguchi N. Instructed pragmatics at a glance: Where instructional studies were, are, and should be going. Language Teaching. 2015;48(1):1-50. doi: 10.1017/S0261444814000263.
12. Mostafaei Alaei M, Ghamari MR. EFL learning, EFL motivation types and national identity: In conflict or in coalition. Issues in Language Teaching. 2013;2(2):85-111.
13. Safatian F. The Intersectionality of Language Teacher Identity: Exploring the Complex Interplay Between Language Teacher Identity, Gender, Ethnicity, and Professional Background. Journal of Studies in Education. 2024;14(2):43. doi: 10.5296/jse.v14i2.21903.
14. Faramarzi Babadi S, Eskandari Asl HA, Dolatyari F, Alipoor H. Limitations of English Language Learning in Universities of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province and Strategies to Overcome Them. Iranian Journal of Educational Sociology. 2024;7(1):124-32. doi: 10.61838/kman.ijes.7.1.12.
15. Iloponu D, Hanafi H, Muziatun. Exploring Social Influences on Self-Identity Formation Through English Language Proficiency. Research Rev JIM. 2025;4(1):33-7. doi: 10.54923/researchreview.v4i1.118.
16. Fatima S. Family Language Policy and Heritage Language Transmission in Pakistan—the Intersection of Family Dynamics, Ethnic Identity and Cultural Practices on Language Proficiency and Maintenance. Frontiers in Psychology. 2025;16. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1560755.
17. Islam MT, Ramalingam S, Hoque KE. Supremacy of English Language Proficiency: Identity Transmission and Transgression Among Bangladeshi Graduates. Issues in Language Studies. 2022;11(1):129-45. doi: 10.33736/ils.4074.2022.
18. Warren AN, Ward NA, Ayvaz BÇ, Dias MJA, Linville HA, Whiting J. Advocacy‐oriented Language Teacher Educator Identity as Ethical Self‐formation: A Polyvocal Exploration. Tesol Journal. 2024;16(1). doi: 10.1002/tesj.891.
19. Lo NPK, To BKH. Transformation of identity of secondary school teachers: Professional development and English language education strategies in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cogent Education. 2023;10(1):1-21. doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2022.2163790.
20. Peng A, Patterson MM. Relations among cultural identity, motivation for language learning, and perceived English language proficiency for international students in the United States. Language, Culture and Curriculum. 2021:1-16. doi: 10.1080/07908318.2021.1938106.
21. Yang H, Zhang H. A Study Of Identity Reconstruction In The Buried Giant From The Perspective Of Ethical Literary Criticism. Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL). 2024;12(1).
22. Moharami M, Keary A, Kostogriz A. Adult Iranian English Language Learners’ Identity Work: An Exploration of Language Practices and Learner Identities. Adult Education Quarterly. 2022. doi: 10.1177/07417136221129625.
23. Glasgow A. Ko toku reo ko toku ia mana: My language, my identity - The Pacific language nest: How language, culture and traditions are supported and promoted for the Pacific communities of the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau in Aotearoa New Zealand (Version 2). Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. 2023. doi: 10.26686/wgtn.17135885.v1.
24. Razmjoo SA. Language and identity in the Iranian context: The impact of identity aspects on EFL learners' achievement. The Journal of Teaching Language Skills. 2010;2(2):99-121.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Seidi; Hosna Nazari, Hasti Bijanpoor, Maryam Mirzaei, Soheil Esmaeili (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.