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ERIC Number: EJ1278012
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Nov
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2164-5965
EISSN: N/A
Enhancing Study Abroad: Interventions for Greater Language Proficiency and Intercultural Development
Erickson, Lars; Berka, Sigrid; Hu, Xiaoyan; Castro, Zoila
NECTFL Review, n86 p9-31 Nov 2020
This paper describes an experiential education course designed to enhance student learning while abroad. Studies have shown that students studying abroad need specific interventions in order to profit fully from the immersive experience. The article describes a sequence of task-based interventions designed to prompt students to engage with the host language and culture. A description and rationale for each assignment explains how the tasks target language functions and intercultural development. The language functions relate to ACTFL's proficiency scale. The intercultural development process relates to Bennett and Hammer's Intercultural Development Continuum model (Bennett, 1986; Hammer, 2012). The students involved participated in the five-year dual bachelor's degree International Engineering Program at the University of Rhode Island and spent a year abroad in China, France, Germany, Chile, or Spain, studying for six months and then interning for six months. Discussion of student work shows the extent to which the tasks elicited interaction with the host culture and reflection on the experience. Results show that the interventions result in greater student engagement with the host culture and greater reflection on the impact of the overseas experience on their linguistic and cultural competency development.
Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 2400 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. e-mail: info@nectfl.org; Web site: https://www.nectfl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Rhode Island; Chile; Spain; Germany; China; France
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A