Date of Award
Spring 2023
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Major
Educational Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Britney Jones
Abstract
This study dives into Maldivian students’ experiences of learning languages in classrooms, as well as how they perceive their proficiency in English relative to their first language, Dhivehi. I investigated the issue of language loss and its contributors via a qualitative study which consisted of 9 semi-structured 45-60 minute interviews with lower secondary Maldivian students who are in public schools in Male’ city. (Key stage 4, ages 13-17) Through this study, I argue that the Maldives is suffering from language loss among youth because students often have negative experiences in Dhivehi classrooms and feel pressure rooted in higher social and systemic stratification of English persisting in the Maldivian society. These findings will help build the foundational knowledge needed about student experiences and perspectives in developing student-centered solutions to this problem.
Recommended Citation
Hassan, Azka, "The Maldivian language predicament: Language loss through the lens of students". Senior Theses, Trinity College, Hartford, CT 2023.
Trinity College Digital Repository, https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/theses/1002
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Educational Sociology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, First and Second Language Acquisition Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons
Comments
Senior project completed at Trinity College Hartford CT for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies.