Influences of reading online texts in Korean English language learners' cultural identities

This qualitative case study investigated 4 Korean elementary level English language learners' (ELLs) cultural identities when they read online texts at home and school. The participants were fourth- or fifth-grade students. The data consisted of observations, interviews, field notes, reflective journals, and the ELLs' verbal reports at home and school between the spring and the fall of 2010. The author's purpose was to identify the influences of reading online texts at home and school in Korean elementary level ELLs' cultural identities. Findings revealed that the online text readings helped the ELLs form, maintain, and shift their cultural identities. The author discusses Korean ELLs' languages, cultures, and technologies in the contexts of electronic literacies and suggests educational implications to facilitate their reading online texts.