"Learning from various directions using my eyes and my ears”: The emergence of relational agency in an affinity space

Abstract

Affinity spaces can serve as self-directed language learning environments with significant potential for learning, agency, and personal growth. This report presents the case of Hiroaki, a Japanese university student whose participation in an online affinity space, centered around an interest in manga and anime, enabled him to enact agency as he successfully developed his linguistic and intercultural competencies despite his low level and lack of confidence in English. Hiraoki’s case supports a relational view of the agency construct and suggests that Gee’s (2004) concept of affinity spaces remains useful for examining informal learning processes.