This research paper explores the sociolinguistic profiles of learners in a sixth-grade classroom, focusing on the intersections between language, society, and individual characteristics. The study investigates the linguistic diversity within a group of Uzbek and Russian pupils learning English as a foreign language, highlighting the role of factors such as language background, socioeconomic status, and cultural identity in shaping their learning experiences. Two distinct learner subgroups are identified: one group of bilingual Russian-speaking students from urban, educated backgrounds, and another group of Uzbek-speaking students from monolingual, low socioeconomic backgrounds. Through analysis of these subgroups, the paper examines the influence of sociocultural dynamics on language learning behaviors and challenges. The study provides pedagogical and assessment implications, aiming to offer educators insights into adapting instructional techniques to accommodate the diverse needs and backgrounds of their students. By addressing these sociolinguistic dimensions, this paper contributes to understanding how language variety and social context affect language education and the notion of pedagogical implications and assessment implications are discussed.

Sociolinguistics, language variation, learner diversity, language education, socioeconomic status

Bokor, M. J. K. (2018). West African culture and schools, language and identity. In J. I. Liontas (Ed.), The TESOL encyclopedia of English language teaching. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Deumert, A. (2011). Multilingualism. In R. Mesthrie (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of sociolinguistics (pp. 262-282). Cambridge University Press.

Fought, C. (2011). Language and ethnicity. In R. Mesthrie (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of sociolinguistics (pp. 238-257).

Kim, J., & Richardson, E. (2018). Transnational students and language use. In The TESOL encyclopedia of English language teaching. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Labov, W. (1963). Social motivation of a sound change. Word 19 (3), 273-309.

Labov, W. (1968). The social stratification of /r/ in New York City department stores. Sociolinguistic Patterns. (1st, pp. 42-54). University of Pennsylvania Press.

Mesthie, R., Swann, J., Deumert, A., & Leap, W. L. (2009). Introducing sociolinguistics. Edinburgh University Press.

Schilling, N. (2011). Language, gender and sexuality. In R. Mesthrie (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of sociolinguistics (pp. 218-237).

Wardhaugh, R. & Fuller, J. M. (2014). An introduction to sociolinguistics. John Wiley & Sons.