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Drawing on ecological systems theory (EST), it identifies eight influencing factors ranging from microsystem to macrosystem that shape students\u2019 identification. These factors are organised across three interconnected spheres: the individual sphere, shaped by personal interest and symbolic resonance with language and culture; the social sphere, driven by socially valued expectations in academic and career domains; and the relational sphere, grounded in interpersonal connections within the departmental community. Relational belonging\u2014nurtured within inclusive and supportive peer\u2013teacher networks\u2014represents a key stabilising force, fostering students\u2019 identification with the major. By proposing a dynamic model of identification, the study suggests that LOTE programmes should strengthen activities related to identity support and cultural engagement.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/bs16071088","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]],"date-time":"2026-07-02T10:04:44Z","timestamp":1782986684000},"page":"1088","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Belonging in Uncertain Times: An Ecological Perspective on the Identification of LOTE Majors"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-1353-3469","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lin","family":"Xue","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Danchen","family":"Han","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yingzi","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), 75013 Paris, France"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S293","DOI":"10.1086\/718327","article-title":"Artificial intelligence and jobs: Evidence from online vacancies","volume":"40","author":"Acemoglu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Journal of Labor Economics"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1473-6861.2006.00119.x","article-title":"Investigating the factors influencing professional identity of first-year health and social care students","volume":"5","author":"Adams","year":"2006","journal-title":"Learning in Health and Social Care"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1177\/0149206308316059","article-title":"Identification in organizations: An examination of four fundamental questions","volume":"34","author":"Ashforth","year":"2008","journal-title":"Journal of Management"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.2307\/258189","article-title":"Social identity theory and the organization","volume":"14","author":"Ashforth","year":"1989","journal-title":"The Academy of Management Review"},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"Bogdan, R., and Biklen, S. 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