A1 Journal article (refereed)
Suomen kielen käyttämiseen liittyvät tunteet, käsitykset ja toimijuus (2019)

Scotson, M. (2019). Suomen kielen käyttämiseen liittyvät tunteet, käsitykset ja toimijuus. Apples : Journal of Applied Language Studies, 13(3), 107-129. https://doi.org/10.17011/apples/urn.201910224568

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Scotson, Mia

Journal or series: Apples : Journal of Applied Language Studies

eISSN: 1457-9863

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 13

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 107-129

Publisher: Centre for Applied Language Studies, University of Jyväskylä

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17011/apples/urn.201910224568

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66384

Abstract

In this article, I will explore the emotions of two highly educated Finnish language users in relation to their language learning and language use. I will al-so examine how the emotions and beliefs are related to the users’ agency, and how their emotions, beliefs and agency change in the course of a year. The data of this socioculturally informed study consist mainly of interviews which were conducted in two phases; the first round at the end of the integration training for adult immigrants and the second round after a one-year period. At the end of the integration training, the key participants felt emotions which are typical of language anxiety. Above all, those emotions were aroused in informal learning environments in situations that required oral communication in Finnish. The emotions were connected to the participants’ beliefs about themselves, their language skills, language learning and interlocutor. Especially the fear of making mistakes complicated communication. Negative emotions and beliefs restricted the participants’ agency. The participants did not take advantage of the possibilities offered by the learning environment to practice their Finnish but preferred to communicate in English. During the year, the participants’ agencies developed in different directions.

Keywords: emotions; conceptions; human agency; Finnish as a second language; language learning; interaction; academic degree holders; integration training for immigrants

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1