Buchanan, Christine P.

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    Student mobility and ‘el spanglish’: Describing Colombian student migration to UPRM and their perceptions and realizations of language use at the graduate level
    (2014) Buchanan, Christine P.; Mazak, Catherine M.; College of Arts and Sciences - Arts; Géliga, Jocelyn; Pratt, Ellen; Rivera, Rosita L.; Department of English; Santiago, Frances
    This case study utilized naturalistic, qualitative data collection methods to describe the reasons for Colombian graduate student migration to the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. It also describes the use of English within their graduate programs at UPRM to evaluate the relevance to theories of translanguaging, English for academic purposes, and English as a lingua franca. The data was collected through migration narratives, in-depth interviews, and a focus group with Colombian students who are studying their graduate-level degrees at UPRM. The researcher gained access to the research participants through the UPRM’s English Conversation Club. Theories of instrumental orientations for second language acquisition, translanguaging, English for academic purposes, and English as a lingua franca provided the framework for data analysis. Results show that low costs, personal connections at the university, academic prestige of the UPRM, and the accessibility of English are all motivating factors for migrating to graduate programs at UPRM. Participants report that translanguaging is present in their classes and presents them with a challenge. They view English as having an instrumental orientation that supports theories of English for academic purposes and English as a lingua franca.