Affective Filter: Mexican English Learners in Chicago

Abstract

Moving to a foreign country with a different language can be a challenging experience. Adapting in a foreign environment involves a cultural and thus linguistic effort. There are many factors that affect language learning in these situations, and one of them is the affective filter. The affective filter refers to the emotional factors that impact the language learning process. The following research shows the different challenges and perspectives towards English learning and cultural adaptation from three different participants. The participants are Mexican people of different ages and backgrounds that had recently move to Chicago and this leaded to their necessity of learning the English language. The research was carried out with a qualitative paradigm and a narrative inquiry. Data was collected through narrative interviews. It was found that the participants presented different opinions towards their processes of moving to an English speaking country and learning the language, however there were some patterns such as the impact on their identities and the feeling of safeness when using their L1.