A model of identity and language orientations: the case of immigrant students from the Former Soviet Union in Israel

A theoretical model featuring the relationship between identity and language orientations within the broader constellation of variables impacting immigration and acculturation processes was proposed within the framework of the current study and its applicability was tested with regards to 152 immigrant university students from the Former Soviet Union in Israel. A revised model best depicting the self-reported language and identity-related attitudes and behaviours of this unique population was presented, clearly illustrating the significant contributory effect of identity orientations on bilingual language attitudes and especially on language use. The strength of identity as a predictor of language orientations significantly exceeds that of immigrants' perceptions of ethnic and national language group status or of their subjective assessment of native and national language proficiency. Identity orientations and language behaviour are also noticeably impacted by age of the individual at the time of immigration. The model presented herein may serve as a template for replication and comparative research in the future, whereby its applicability may be tested with regard to diverse immigrant groups acculturating in varying host societies and contexts.