Identity rsearch in China.doc

A Critique of Qu and Gao’s Paper Concerning English Learning and Identity Research in China Zhao Hui Sichuan Normal University A Critique of Qu and Gao’s Paper Concerning English Learning and Identity Research in China The study about language learning and identity has been widely discussed and will have an ongoing argument from different perspectives. The two papers chosen by our teacher all concern the English and identity research in China, while different attitudes are shown in their papers. The first one, on the issues concerning English and identity research in China, is written by Qu Weiguo who does not agree with the viewpoint of Gao Yihong that the learning and use of English has contributed to the (re)construction of identity on the part of the English learners in China. (2002, 2004, 2005) The second one, Legitimacy of Foreign Language Learning and Identity Research: Structuralist and Constructivist Perspectives, written by Gao Yihong is a response to Qu’s critique. Both of them equip their viewpoints with some theoretical supports and investigation researches. After reading the two papers, in this paper, I will summarize and critique Qu’s critique of Gao and Gao’s response, and then I will show my understanding related to my own experience and feelings to this topic that focused on the relationship between English learning and identity. Summarize and critique Qu’s critique of Gao The paper by Qu Weiguo is a critique of the research concerning English and identity change, represented by Gao Yihong. In his paper, two big parts, basic concepts and English and Identity change in China, and several small issues included in the two big parts are pointed out to support his disagreement to Gao’s viewpoint. Here, we mainly talk about Qu Weiguo’s evaluation to Gao’s viewpoint form four parts. Firstly, Qu argues that the conception of identity and “cultural identities” are not clear and complex so that different understanding can