Dilemmas in Using Phenomenology to Investigate Elementary School Children Learning English as a Second Language

Authors

  • Zihan Shi Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Victoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37119/ojs2011.v17i1.88

Keywords:

phenomenology, English Language Learners, lived experience

Abstract

This paper is intended for doctoral students and other researchers considering using phenomenology as a methodology to investigate the experiences of children learning English as a second language in an elementary classroom setting.  I identify six dilemmas or puzzling challenges likely to arise if researchers adopt a phenomenological approach to conducting research.  The six dilemmas fall under two categories: fundamental and situational. Fundamental dilemmas include descriptive versus interpretive; objective versus subjective; and participant voice versus researcher voice.  The former focus is on a fundamental understanding of phenomenology as a research method while the latter include language and cultural challenges and limitations of the researchers.  Situational dilemmas arise from the challenges an investigator may encounter in using an in-depth interview as a research tool with children from different cultural and language backgrounds.  I present these dilemmas so that researchers can understand more readily the challenges they may face in exploring the lived experience of these children.

Keywords: phenomenology; English Language Learners; lived experience

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Published

2013-01-14