SHAPING SOCIAL IDENTITY AND SKILLS: ENGLISH LEARNING PRACTICES IN ROMANIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SHAPING SOCIAL IDENTITY AND SKILLS: ENGLISH LEARNING PRACTICES IN ROMANIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Summary/Abstract: This study explores the role of out-of-class contexts (OOCCs) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning among Romanian secondary school students. It highlights how personal English learning ecologies foster skill development, self-confidence, and the shaping of social identity. Data from 143 learners aged 12–15, collected via questionnaires, learner diaries, and open-ended responses, reveal that OOCCs provide spaces for diverse self-directed activities, such as engaging with English-language media, reading, and communicating with peers. These activities enhance language skills and confidence, while interactions within personal communities of practice support learners’ progress through scaffolding within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The study emphasizes the complementarity of classroom instruction and OOCCs, advocating for supportive environments to bridge these contexts. The findings offer valuable insights for EFL educators and policymakers, highlighting OOCCs as transformative spaces for linguistic and social development.

• Details
• Contents