Bilingual investments of dual-language immersion program alumni. Issue 9 (21st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Djuraeva, Madina; Nguyen, Diep; Castro, Mariana
• Is Part Of: International journal of bilingual education and bilingualism. Volume 25:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 3214
• Page End: 3227
• Publication Date: 2022-10-21
• Subjects: Investment -- bilingual education -- linguistic disposition -- raciolinguistic ideologies -- belonging -- intersectionality; Education, Bilingual -- Periodicals; Bilingualism -- Periodicals; 370.117505
• DOI: 10.1080/13670050.2022.2039095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-0050

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The article explores bilingual investments of dual-language immersion program alumni through an intersectional narrative analysis. Focusing on the experiences of bilingualism of six alumni, we investigate how they continue to be invested in bilingualism, the factors that shape their self-positionings as bilinguals, and the extent to which race is implicated in their experiences as bilingual speakers of Spanish and English. The analysis revealed that investment is not always agentive and is obligatory, and habitual – less conscious linguistic behavior. While individual efforts sustain bilingual investment, biculturalism requires a collective practice. Bilingual experiences are racialized, and raciolinguistic ideologies at home school, and society at large shape alumni's bilingual investments. Across all findings, we discuss individual and collective similarities and differences among Hispanic/Latinx and White alumni. The article ends with implications for future research and practical recommendations for designing equitable bilingual programs.