The Intersection of Language and Culture in Study Abroad: Assessment and Analysis of Study Abroad Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v25i1.345Keywords:
Language and culture, Study abroad, Study abroad outcomes, Second language socializationAbstract
Although defining the interrelationship between language and culture during a study abroad (SA) experience is extraordinarily difficult (Kasper & Omori, 2007), most researchers agree that it is this elusive link that makes SA so rewarding. The highly contextualized learning environment and access to native speech and authentic sociocultural behaviors leads to significant learning and identity-changing experiences. From the standpoint of SA outcomes, this complex interrelationship seems to demand a multidimensional approach to assessment and program development that might be met by viewing these variables from a second language socialization (SLS) perspective. Analyzing data from 279 undergraduate participants in 22 SA locations around the world, this study suggests quantitative and qualitative assessment measures for language proficiency, intercultural competence, and several socialization variables. Findings show areas of statistical correlation among the variables and illuminate aspects of language socialization during SA. Implications for future study and evidence-based SA program development are also given.
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References
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Brecht, R., Davidson, D., & Ginsberg, R. (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). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Cohen, A. D., Paige, R. M., Shively, R. L., Emert, H., & Hoff, J. (2005). Maximizing study abroad through language and culture strategies: Research on students, study abroad program professionals, and language instructors. Final Report to the International Research and Studies Program, Office of International Education, DOE. Minneapolis, MN: Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, University of Minnesota.
Churchill, E., & DuFon, M. A. (2006). Evolving threads in study abroad research. Language learners in study abroad contexts, 1-27.
Davidson, D. (2010). Study abroad: When, how long, and with what results? New data from the Russian front. Foreign Language Annals, 43(1), 6–26.
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Assessing intercultural competence in study abroad students. In Byram, M., & Feng, A. (Eds). Living and studying abroad: Research and practice (Vol. 12). Multilingual Matters, 232-256.
Defense Language Institute (n.d.). “DLIFLC.edu - Languages at DLI." DLIFLC.edu - Languages at DLI. Retrieved June 3, 2013 from http://www.dliflc.edu/contentpage.aspx?id=444.
DuFon, M. A., & Churchill, E. (2006). Language learners in study abroad contexts (Vol. 15). Channel View Books.
Duff, P. A. (2011). 24 Second Language Socialization. The handbook of language socialization, 564.
Duff, P. A. (2008). Second language socialization as sociocultural theory: Insights and issues. Language Teaching, 40(04), 309-319.
Duranti, A. (Ed.). (2009). Linguistic anthropology: A reader (Vol. 1). Wiley-Blackwell.
Einbeck, K. (2002). Using literature to promote cultural fluency in study abroad programs. Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German. 35(1): 59-67.
Engle, L. & Engle, J. (2004). Assessing language acquisition and intercultural sensitivity development in relation to study abroad program design. Frontiers, 219-236.
Engle, L. & Engle, J. (2013). Beyond immersion: The AUCP experiment in holistic intervention. In M.
Vande Berg, R. M. Paige, & K. Lou (Eds.). Student learning abroad: What our students are learning, what they’re not, and what we can do about it. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Hammer, M. R. (2004). Assessment of the impact of the AFS study abroad experience. Retrieved August 9, 2011, from http://www.idiinventory.com/pdf/afs_study.pdf
Hammer, M. R. (2008). The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI): An approach for assessing and building intercultural competence.” in Michael Moodian (ed): Understanding and Utilizing Cultural Diversity to Build Successful Organizations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hammer, M. R., Bennett, M. J., & Wiseman, R. (2003). Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The Intercultural Development Inventory. In R. M. Paige (Guest Ed.). Special issue on the Intercultural Development. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27(4), 421–443.
Hunley, H. A. (2010). Students’ functioning while studying abroad: The impact of psychological distress and loneliness. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34(4), 386-392.
Joseph, J. E. (2004). Language and identity. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Kasper, G., & Omori, M. (2010). Language and Culture. Sociolinguistics and Language Education, 18, 455.
Kinginger, C., & Farrell, K. (2004). Assessing development of meta-pragmatic awareness in study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 19–42.
Kinginger, C. (2009). Language learning and study abroad: A critical reading of research. Basingstoke,, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
Kinginger, C. (2008). Language learning in study abroad: Case studies of Americans in France. The Modern Language Journal, 92(s1), 1-124.
Kinginger, C. (2011). Enhancing language learning in study abroad. Annual review of applied linguistics, 31(1), 58-73.
Kramsch, C. (Ed.). (2003). Language acquisition and language socialization: Ecological perspectives. Continuum.
Kruse, J., & Brubaker, C. (2007). Successful study abroad: Tips for student preparation, immersion, and postprocessing. Teaching German, 40, 147–152.
Magnan, S. S., & Back, M. (2007). Social interaction and linguistic gain during study abroad. Foreign Language Annals, 40(1), 43-61.
Marx, H., & Moss, D. M. (2011). Please mind the culture gap: Intercultural development during a teacher education study abroad program. Journal of Teacher Education, 62(1), 35-47.
Medina-Lopex-Portillo, A. (2004). Intercultural learning assessment: The link between program duration and the development of intercultural sensitivity. Frontiers, 179-200.
Moore, L. C. (2008). Language socialization and second/foreign language and multilingual education in non-Western settings. Encyclopedia of language and education, 8, 175-185.
Owen, J. (2002). Interlanguage pragmatics in Russian: A study of the effects of study abroad and proficiency levels on request strategies. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section A. The Humanities and Social Sciences, 62, 4145–4146.
Patterson, P. K. (2006). Effect of study abroad on intercultural sensitivity (Doctoral dissertation, University of Missouri).
Rivers, W. P. (1998). Is being there enough? The effects of homestay placements on language gain during study abroad. Foreign Language Annals, 31, 492–500.
Schauer, G. (2009). Interlanguage pragmatic development: The study abroad context. Continuum.
Schmidt-Rinehart, B., & Knight, S. (2004). The homestay component of study abroad: Three perspectives. Foreign Language Annals, 37, 254–2262.
Selmeski, B. (2007). Military cross-cultural competence: Core concepts and individual development. Royal Military College of Canada Centre for Security, Armed Forces and Society Occasional Paper Series. 1.
Silverstein, M. (2004). “Cultural” Concepts and the Language‐Culture Nexus1. Current Anthropology, 45(5), 621-652.
Taguchi, N. (2008). Cognition, language contact, and the development of pragmatic comprehension in a study‐abroad context. Language Learning, 58(1), 33-71.
Vande Berg, M. Paige, R.M. (2009). Applying Theory and Reseach: The Evolution of Intercultural
Competence in U.S. Study Abroad. in: Deardoff, Darla, ed. The Sage Handbook of Intercultural Competence. Los Angeles: Sage. pp 419-437.
Vande Berg, M., Paige, R. M., & Lou, K. (Eds.) (2012). Student learning abroad: What our students are
learning, what they’re not, and what we can do about it. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Wang, C. (2010). Toward a second language socialization perspective: Issues in study abroad research. Foreign Language Annals, 43(1), 50-63.
Watson-Gegeo, K. A., & Nielsen, S. (2003). Language Socialization in SLA. The handbook of second language acquisition, 155.
Watson‐Gegeo, K. A. (2004). Mind, language, and epistemology: Toward a language socialization paradigm for SLA. The Modern Language Journal, 88(3), 331-350.
Watson, J. R., Siska, P., & Wolfel, R. L. (2013). Assessing Gains in Language Proficiency, Cross‐Cultural Competence, and Regional Awareness during Study Abroad: A Preliminary Study. Foreign Language Annals.
Zielinski, B. A. Z. (2007). Study abroad length of program influence on cross-cultural adaptability. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Zuengler, J., & Cole, K. (2005). Language socialization and second language learning. Handbook of research in second language teaching and learning, 301-316.
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Published
2015-03-15
How to Cite
Watson, J. R., & Wolfel, R. L. (2015). The Intersection of Language and Culture in Study Abroad: Assessment and Analysis of Study Abroad Outcomes. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 25(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v25i1.345
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Research Articles
