Education Alumni
PhD Researcher in Education (ESRC 1+3)
Graduate School of Education, University of Bristol
Start date: September 2015
Graduation date: January 2022
Research topic: The barriers and facilitators to learning English and integration for adult migrant and refugee ESOL learners in the UK
My research involves exploring language learning, identity and integration amongst adult migrant and refugee learners of English in the UK. I seek to better understand how language learning and integration inter-relate, and the barriers and facilitators to both these processes. I am particularly interested in migrant and refugee English language learners’ perspectives of what successful integration might look like for them; as well as political discourse and policy on English language and integration. I am also interested in how identity negotiation, identity positions and agency interact with the processes of language learning and integration.
My research includes exploring the use of participatory tools for researching with ‘non-proficient’ speakers of English, as well as combining qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Research supervisors: Dr Frances Giampapa, Dr Liz Washbrook
Professional memberships/Positions held:
NATECLA (National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults)
Email: jill.court@bristol.ac.uk