Competing priorities: Student perceptions of helps and hindrances to language acquisition during study abroad

Authors

  • Marcie J. Pyper
  • Cynthia Slagter

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v26i1.360

Keywords:

Student perceptions, Language acquisition, Study abroad, Education abroad

Abstract

Multiple studies have investigated the effect of language contact on language proficiency, testing the assumption that the study abroad context means greater contact with the target language (L2).  Other studies have examined the context of L2 interactions, considering host families, contact with community members, and interactions with non-native-speaking peers. While these studies are helpful, larger scales studies are needed to determine how students are interacting with native and non-native speakers during study abroad.  The current study examines student perceptions of helps and hindrances to L2 gain during semester-long study abroad of more than 100 students studying Spanish in Spain, Honduras, and Peru. Participants completed surveys patterned after the Language Contact Profile of Freed, Dewey, Segalowitz, and Halter (2004) and took the Versant Language Test before and after their study abroad experience. They also participated in a post-program interview which was subsequently transcribed, encoded and analyzed.  Results suggest that students experience competing priorities in decisions governing L1 vs L2 use and that student intentionality is key to successful language learning.

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Author Biographies

Marcie J. Pyper

Marcie J. Pyper (Ph.D., Michigan State University) is a professor of Spanish and involved in teacher education at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Cynthia Slagter

Cynthia Slagter (Ph.D., Indiana University) is a professor of Spanish and has served as director of seven semester abroad programs as well as interim director of Off Campus Programs at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

References

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Published

2015-11-11

How to Cite

Pyper , M. J., & Slagter , C. . (2015). Competing priorities: Student perceptions of helps and hindrances to language acquisition during study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 26(1), 83–106. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v26i1.360

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Section

Research Articles