“Whoa, But I’m Not Like This, I Don’t Even Know How This Happens”: Literacy Practices and Experiences of Students From Migrant Backgrounds in a Brazilian Public University

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article discusses the literacy practices and experiences of four students from migrant backgrounds who entered a federal public university in Brazil through a public call specifically designed for this group. In the field of Critical Applied Linguistics, we take a decolonial stance on internationalization and academic literacies. Research data were generated using tools such as questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and WhatsApp. The analysis focused on three main aspects: (i) ‘mismatches’ between the participants’ expectations and the curricular structure of their undergraduate courses; (ii) the opacity of certain aspects of academic literacy and curricular organization; (iii) issues related to identity in interaction with peers. The research findings point to the ways in which language education policies can be developed with a view to promoting inclusion in higher education for students from migrant backgrounds.

Keywords

• students from migrant backgrounds
• higher education
• internationalization
• academic literacy