Learning inside and outside school

Adult migrants’ experiences of language and literacy learning in differently institutionalized environments

Resumo

This paper investigates how adult learners use and value different environments and resources for language and literacy learning throughout their learning trajectories. Learning inside and outside school has been a topic of interest in both studies of literacy and additional language learning, yet research into learning environments of adults who simultaneously develop both has been limited. I contribute to this body of work through findings from an ethnographic study on adult learners’ language and literacy learning trajectories within and across different environments of Antwerp, Belgium. Analyzing stories of three adult learners, I discuss how they undertake language learning practices across a variety of environments in- and outside of school, yet value the environments and the resources present there differently. These learner experiences highlight the value attributed to school as a learning environment, as well as the importance of literacy strategies and support from others in the learning process. I argue that in-depth engagement with lived experiences and practices of learners themselves help us understand what is valued and understood as learning.