1. 'Hay que seguir luchando': struggles that shaped English language learning of four Cuban immigrant women
- Collection:
- Black Caribbean Literature (BCL)
- Contributers:
- Butcher,John S. (Author) and Townsend,Jane S. (Author)
- Format:
- Journal Article
- Publication Date:
- Dec 2011
- Published:
- Abingdon UK: Routledge Journals/Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Journal Title:
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education
- Journal Title Details:
- 24(7) : 829-856
- Notes:
- Newly arrived from Cuba, Angelica, Dora, Marina, and Damaris attempted to negotiate new surroundings and immigrant identities, building a sense of home for themselves and their families. Data from qualitative interviews, classroom observations, and focus group conversations revealed hopes that by acquiring English language skills, they would improve their quality of life in their new country. Struggles included personal factors situated in their pasts in Cuba and their new surrounds in the Miami Cuban exile enclave, contexts that were further complicated by uncertain expectations of new lives in Miami and the overwhelming task of learning a new language at a local adult education center.