This paper discusses tensions and identity resistance in a cross-cultural educational context in the United Arab Emirates. It focuses on how Emirati students, living and socialised in a conservative Arabic-Islamic society and shaped by Islamic values and epistemologies, construct their cultural identities while learning English with their Western-trained teachers, who are influenced by liberal ideologies and secular epistemologies. To understand the complex engagement between Emirati students and their Western-trained teachers this article uses both phenomenography and reflection on critical incidents to explore, investigate and interpret Emirati students’ intercultural experience with their Western-trained teachers and to highlight the tensions and identity resistance that arise from this educational encounter.
Publisher's note: The Publisher would like to inform the reader that the article “Emirati students encounter Western teachers tensions and identity resistance” has changed pagination. Previous pagination was pp. 1-14. The updated pagination for the article is now pp. 46-59. The Publisher apologises for any inconvenience caused.
