Language Fluency and Study Abroad Adaptation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v22i1.318Keywords:
Study Abroad, Study abroad experience, Affective issuesAbstract
By definition, study abroad students are faced with acculturative stress by virtue of encountering differences in assumptions, values, and expectations of daily living in their host culture. "Dynamic disequilibrium" may allow students to unfreeze their typical mindsets in order to encourage alternate points of view. However, a somewhat unexamined question concerns the consequences for students when disequilibrium edges over into discontent, distress or dejection. The current study examines the study abroad experience of students with different levels of affect as a result of their study abroad sojourn. Students with less positive and more negative affect show higher problematic stress appraisals, more psychological symptoms and less satisfaction. In addition they used their host culture language less, reported more difficulty in adapting to their host culture, and showed lower evaluation of their national identity. Precursors to these outcomes are suggested. A growing need to address affective issues is outlined. Potential program design issues are mentioned to accommodate to lower affective responses.
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References
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Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Beyond IQ : A triarchic theory of human intelligence. NY: Cambridge University Press.
Voci, A. & Hewstone, M. (2003). Intergroup contact and prejudice toward immigrants in Italy: The mediational role of anxiety and the moderational role of group salience. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 6, 37-54.
Ward, C. (2001). The A, B, Cs of acculturation. In D. Matsumoto (Ed.), Handbook of Culture and Psychology. (pp. 411-446). NY: Oxford University Press.
Ward, C., Bochner, S., & Furnham, A. (2001). The Psychology of Culture Shock 2nd Ed. London: Routledge.
Ward, C. & Kennedy, A. (1999). The measurement of sociocultural adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 23. 659-677.
Watson, D, Clark L.A., Tellegen, A, (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063-1070.
Baron & Kenny (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 6, 1173-1182.
Bennett, J. M. (2008). On becoming a global soul: A path to engagement on study abroad. In V. Savicki, (Ed). Developing Intercultural Competence and Transformation: Theory, Research, and Application in International Education (pp.13-31). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Bennett, M. J. (1993). Towards ethnorelativism: A developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In M. Paige (Ed.), Education for the intercultural experience (21-71). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press. Inc.
Brown, H. E. (1998). Sojourner adjustment among undergraduate students: Relationships with locus of control and coping strategies. (Doctoral dissertation, The Claremont Graduate University, 1998. Digital Dissertations, 59/04, 1912.
Churchill, E. & Dufon, M.A. (2006). Evolving threads in study abroad research. In M.A. Dufon & Churchill, E. (Eds.). Language learners in Study Abroad Contexts, (pp1-27). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters Limited.
Deardorff, D. K. (2008). Intercultural competence: A definition, model, and implications for education abroad. In V. Savicki, (Ed). Developing Intercultural Competence and Transformation: Theory, Research, and Application in International Education (pp. 32-51). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Derogatis, L. R. & Melisaratos, N. (1983). The brief symptom inventory: An introductory report. Psychological Medicine, 13, 595-605.
Edelstein, D. (2009). Only English spoken. Inside Higher Ed, Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2009/10/26/edelstein.
Engle, L. & Engle, J. (2003). Study abroad levels: Toward a classification of program types. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, IX, 1-20.
Engle, L. & Engle, J. (2004). Assessing language acquisition and intercultural sensitivity development in relation to study abroad program design. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, X, 219-236.
Ferguson, E. Matthews, G. & Cox, T. (1999). The appraisal of life events (ALE) scale: Reliability and validity. British Journal of Health Psychology. 4, 97-116.
Hill, J. H. & Mannheim, B. (1992). Language and world view. Annual Review of Anthropology, 21, 381-406
Isabelli-García, C. (2006). Abroad social networks, motivation and attitudes: Implications for second language acquisition. In M.A. Dufon & Churchill, E. (Eds.). Language learners in Study Abroad Contexts, (pp. 231-258). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters Limited.
Kogut, B., & Singh, H. (2001). The effect of national culture on the choice of entry mode. Journal of International Business Studies, 19, 411–432.
Lange, D. L. & Paige,R. M. (2003). Introduction. In D. L. Lange & R. M. Paige (Eds.) Culture as the Core: Perspectives on Culture in Second Language Learning (pp. ix-xvii). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Matsumoto, D., Leroux, J. A., Ratzlaff, C., Tatani, H., Uchida, H., Kim, C., & Araki, S. (2001). Development and validation of a measure of intercultural adjustment potential in Japanese sojourners: The Intercultural Adjustment Potential Scale (ICAPS). International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 25, 483-510.
Meyer-Lee, E. & Evans, J. (2008, May). New tools for intercultural outcomes learning assessment In D. Deardorff (Chair) Assessment toolbox for international educators. Symposium presented at the NAFSA Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
Norris, E. M. & Steinberg, M. (2008). Does language matter? The impact of language instruction on study abroad outcomes. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, XVIII, 107-131.
Paige,R. M., Jorstad, H. L., Siaya, L., Klein, F., & Colby, J. (2003). Culture learning in language education: A review of the literature. In D. L. Lange & R. M. Paige (Eds.) Culture as the Core: Perspectives on Culture in Second Language Learning (pp. 173-236). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Phinney, J. S. (1992). The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure: A new scale for use with adolescents and young adults from diverse groups. Journal of Adolescent Research, 7, 156-176.
Phinney, J. S. & Devich-Navarro, M. (1997). Variations in bicultural identification among African American and Mexican American adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 7, 3-32.
Savicki, V. & Cooley, E. (2011) American identity in study abroad students: Contrasts and changes. Journal of College Student Development. 52, 339-349.
Saville-Troike, M. (2003). Extending communicative concepts in the second language curriculum: A sociolinguistic approach. In D. L. Lange & R. M. Paige (Eds.) Culture as the Core: Perspectives on Culture in Second Language Learning (pp. 3-18). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Stephan, W. G., & Stephan, C. W. (1985). Intergroup anxiety. Journal of Social Issues, 41, 157-176.
Stephan, W. G., Stephan, C. W., & Gudykunst, W. B. (1999). Anxiety in intergroup relations: A comparison of anxiety/uncertainty management theory and integrated threat theory. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 23, 613-628.
Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Beyond IQ : A triarchic theory of human intelligence. NY: Cambridge University Press.
Voci, A. & Hewstone, M. (2003). Intergroup contact and prejudice toward immigrants in Italy: The mediational role of anxiety and the moderational role of group salience. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 6, 37-54.
Ward, C. (2001). The A, B, Cs of acculturation. In D. Matsumoto (Ed.), Handbook of Culture and Psychology. (pp. 411-446). NY: Oxford University Press.
Ward, C., Bochner, S., & Furnham, A. (2001). The Psychology of Culture Shock 2nd Ed. London: Routledge.
Ward, C. & Kennedy, A. (1999). The measurement of sociocultural adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 23. 659-677.
Watson, D, Clark L.A., Tellegen, A, (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063-1070.
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Published
2013-01-15
How to Cite
Savicki, V., Arrúe, C., & Binder, F. (2013). Language Fluency and Study Abroad Adaptation. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 22(1), 37–57. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v22i1.318
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