How does Short-term Foreign Language Immersion Stimulate Language Learning?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v24i1.339Keywords:
Short term, Language Immersion, Department of Defense, Military, Study Abroad, Education abroadAbstract
Post 9/11 military operations reinforced the reality that the DoD needs a significantly improved capability in non-western European languages and dialects and a surge capacity to expand its language capabilities. As an initial step in the process, in 2005, the DoD produced the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap (DLTR) that directed the military services to coordinate their efforts toward more cohesive and universal goals and objectives (Wolfowitz, 2005). The following article presents a study based on one hundred and forty USAFA cadets who participated in the 2008-2010 Chinese summer language immersion programs conducted at Nanjing University in Nanjing, China, and during weekend excursions at prominent historical and cultural locations around the country.
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References
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Zhang, D., & Yu, Y. (2008). Context of learning and requesting in Chinese as a second language: An exploratory study of students learning Chinese in study abroad and at home contexts. Journal of the Chinese Language Teachers Association, 43(1), 73-92.
Brecht, R. D., Davidson, D. E., & Ginsburg, R. B. (1991). On evaluating language proficiency gain in study abroad programs: An empirical study of American students of Russian. Paper presented at the International Congress of MAPRIAL, Moscow, Russia.
Brecht, R. D., Davidson, D. E., & Ginsberg, R. B. (1995). Predictors of foreign language gain during study abroad. In B. F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp. 37-66). Philadelphia: John Benjamins North America.
Chieffo, L., & Griffiths, L. (2009). Here to stay: Increasing acceptance of short-term study abroad programs. In R. Lewin (Ed.), The handbook of practice and research in study abroad (pp. 365-380). New York: Routledge.
Coleman, J. (1998). Language learning and study abroad: The European perspective. Frontiers: The International Journal of Study Abroad, 4(1), 167-203.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing from among five approaches
(2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
DeKeyser, R. (2007). Practice in a second language: Perspectives from applied linguistics and cognitive
psychology. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More is better: The impact of study abroad program duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10(1), 151-164.
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, 10(1), 219-236.
Freed, B. F. (Ed.). (1995a). Second language acquisition in a study abroad context. Philadelphia: John Benjamins North America.
Freed, B. F. (1998). An overview of issues and research in language learning in a study abroad setting. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 4(2), 31-60.
Freed, B. F., & Ferguson, C. A. (1995b). What makes us think that students who study abroad become fluent? In B. F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp.123-148). Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins.
Freed, B. F., Dewey, D. P., Segalowitz, N., & Halter, R. (2004). The language contact profile. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 26(2), 349-356.
Gardner, D., & Witherell, S. (2008). U.S. study abroad up 8%, continuing decade-long growth. Institute of International Education, 1(10). Retrieved from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=131592
Huebner, T. (1998). Methodological considerations in data collection for language learning in a study abroad context. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 4(1), 1-30.
Isabelli-Garcia, C. L. (2003). Development of oral communication skills abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 9(1), 149-173.
Jackson, J. (2008). Language, identity and study abroad. Oakville, CA: Equinox Publishing.
Kehl, K., & Morris, J. (2008). The differences in global-mindedness between short-term and semester-long study abroad participants at selected private universities. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 15(1), 67-79.
Lapkin, S., Hart, D., & Swain, M. (1995). A Canadian interprovincial exchange: Evaluating the linguistic impact of a three-month stay in Quebec. In B. F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp. 67-94). Philadelphia: John Benjamins North America.
Lewin, R. (Ed.). (2009). The handbook of practice and research in study abroad. New York: Routledge.
Medina-Lopez-Portillo, A. (2004). Intercultural learning assessment: The link between program duration and the development of intercultural sensitivity. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10(1), 179-199.
Mendelson, V. G. (2004). Hindsite is 20/20: Student perceptions of language learning and the study abroad experience. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10(1), 43-63.
Mueller, G. A. (2005). Language maintenance study. Colorado Springs, CO: United States Air Force Academy.
Mueller, G. A. (2008). Air Force culture, region, and language strategy. Washington DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Oxford, R. L., & Shearin, J. (1994). Language learning motivation: Expanding the theoretical framework. Modern Language Journal, 78(1), 12-28.
Pellegrino, V. A. (1998). Student perspectives on language learning in a study abroad context.
Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 4(1), 91-120.
Pellegrino, V. A. (2005). Study abroad and second language use: Constructing the self. New York:
Cambridge University Press.
Poole, D., & Davis, T. (2006). Concept mapping to measure outcomes in study abroad programs. Social Work Education, 25(1), 61-77.
Sandell, E. J. (2007). Impact of international education experiences on undergraduate students. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 73(4), 12-39.
Schwartz, N. A. (2009). Air Force culture, region, and language flight plan. Washington, DC: United States Air Force.
Snyder, V., Akin, W. T., Spratt, J., Bartlett, R. G., Sanchez, L., Jones, W. B., et al. (2008). Building language skills and cultural competencies in the military: DoD's challenge in today's educational environment. Washington DC: U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services.
Wolfowitz, P. (2005). Defense language transformation roadmap. Washington DC: Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Woodman, K. (2001). A study of linguistic, perceptual, and pedagogical change in a short term intensive
language program. (Unpublished Dissertation). University of Victoria. Victoria, British Columbia.
Zhang, D., & Yu, Y. (2008). Context of learning and requesting in Chinese as a second language: An exploratory study of students learning Chinese in study abroad and at home contexts. Journal of the Chinese Language Teachers Association, 43(1), 73-92.
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Published
2014-08-15
How to Cite
Savage, B. L., & Hughes, H. Z. (2014). How does Short-term Foreign Language Immersion Stimulate Language Learning?. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 24(1), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v24i1.339
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