Using Multimodal Analysis to Explore Language Learner Identity Construction

This chapter focuses on the beliefs held by a group of university undergraduates (N = 159) in South Korea, majoring in subjects related to English (e.g. linguistics, literature), and the possible transformation(s) in their identities once they had learnt the language. To this end, the students produced two self-portraits, one showing what they were like before studying English and the other what they would look like after mastering it, both complemented with written commentaries. The study employed a multimodal analysis to examine how both visual and written elements constructed the formation and transformation of English learner identities. The fi ndings demonstrated how Korean students believed that the transformation would occur at multiple, often overlapping dimensions including psychological, physical, vocational, relational and experiential ones. The study suggests the use of multimodal analysis to be eff ective in capturing various complex dimensions that comprise the English learner identity and the meaning of learning English.