Educational Factors Correlated to Ethnic Identity of Independent Chinese Secondary School Students in Malaysia

摘要

From the perspectives of the ICSS Chinese students, this paper aims to find out the correlation between educational factors and their ethnic identity. Significant stronger correlation is found between the students’ ethnic identity and macro educational factors, the importanceof Chinese language in life and comprehensive Chinese mother tongue education. ICSS is able to shape the students’ identity through the schooling experiences and classroom learning of Chinese ideology, language and culture. In addition, their Chinese language proficiency and preferenceof using it in ethnic-based cultural activities showed positive interaction of making Chinese language as a meaningful part of their ethnic identity.