Influence of Home Environment on Chinese Overseas Students’ English Learning

Authors

  • Chunwen Yang

    Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; School of Advanced Translation and Interpretation, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Dalian 116044, China
  • Rankun Cai

    Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Wei Huang

    Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Phawani A. Vijayaratnam

    Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Walton Wider

    Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Lester Naces Udang

    Faculty of Liberal Arts, Shinawatra University, Pathumthani 12160, Thailand; College of Education, University of the Philippines, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
  • Mehdi Manoochehrzadeh

    Zerodale Inc. Centre for Research in Entrepreneurship Education and Development, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1C9, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i5.6817
Received: 30 June 2024 | Revised: 5 August 2024 | Accepted: 16 August 2024 | Published Online: 15 November 2024

Abstract

As studying abroad is gaining popularity, language barriers become a significant issue for most Chinese overseas students. While extensive existing studies have revealed the significant role of diverse factors influencing English learning, such as instructional design, motivation and institutional support, less attention has been paid towards the unavoidable internal factor– Home Environment. Highlighting a significant gap in existing literature, this study aims to explore the influence of the home environment on Chinese overseas students' English learning in higher education institutions. Underpinned by the Bronfenbrenner’s Sociocultural Theory, this study adopted a qualitative phenomenological method, and used thematic analysis to analyze interview data collected through WeChat Voice Call. The novelty of this study lies in its specific focus on the home environment’s role in shaping Chinese overseas students’ English learning, offering fresh insights for parents, educators, and institutions. The present study finds that most respondents reported an early English learning experience and adopted various ways to learn English yet they still face challenges, and that family background, family support, family culture values play an indispensable role in shaping Chinese overseas students’ English learning. Findings of this study offers valuable insight into the broader discourse on enhancing English acquisition, ultimately contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially SDG 4. Quality Education.

Keywords:

Studying Abroad; Home Environment; Chinese Overseas Students; English Language Acquisition; Education Policy

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How to Cite

Chunwen Yang, Rankun Cai, Wei Huang, Phawani A. Vijayaratnam, Wider, W., Lester Naces Udang, & Mehdi Manoochehrzadeh. (2024). Influence of Home Environment on Chinese Overseas Students’ English Learning. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(5), 913–924. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i5.6817

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Vol. 6 , Iss. 5 (November 2024)

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Copyright © 2024 Moussa Diagne Faye, Vini Yves Bernadin Loyara, Amadou Keita, Mamadou Diop, Angelbert Chabi Biaou, Mahamadou Koita, Hamma Yacouba

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