Study Abroad and Second Language Socialization
Author(s)
Oraib Mango
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to investigate college Arabic students’ perceptions of their experience during a short-term summer study abroad program to Jordan. In particular, the study sought to examine how study abroad affected the participants’ academic and career choices as well as how they perceived their second language socialization and its influence on their competence in Arabic. Results revealed that the short term SA contributed to students’ perceptions of gains in their linguistic and cultural skills as well as to their openness to the world and to other cultures. The experience also contributed to students’ decisions to apply for SA scholarships, and to choose areas related to Arabic language in their future studies and careers. Learners experienced a sense of empowerment and satisfaction at their ability to steer their learning and flourished when they could make their own choices in a supportive setting.
The purpose of the study was to investigate college Arabic students’ perceptions of their experience during a short-term summer study abroad program to Jordan. In particular, the study sought to examine how study abroad affected the participants’ academic and career choices as well as how they perceived their second language socialization and its influence on their competence in Arabic. Results revealed that the short term SA contributed to students’ perceptions of gains in their linguistic and cultural skills as well as to their openness to the world and to other cultures. The experience also contributed to students’ decisions to apply for SA scholarships, and to choose areas related to Arabic language in their future studies and careers. Learners experienced a sense of empowerment and satisfaction at their ability to steer their learning and flourished when they could make their own choices in a supportive setting.
Cite this paper
Mango, O. (2015) Study Abroad and Second Language Socialization. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 155-164. doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.32021.
Mango, O. (2015) Study Abroad and Second Language Socialization. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3, 155-164. doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.32021.
References
[1] Institute of International Education (2012) Open Doors 2012 Fast Facts. http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors [2] Castañeda, M.E. and Zirger, M. (2011) Making the Most of the “New” Study Abroad: Social Capital and the Short-Term Sojourn. Foreign Language Annals, 44, 544-564.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.07.001 [3] Wang, C. (2010) Toward a Second Language Socialization Perspective: Issues in Study Abroad Research. Foreign Language Annals, 43, 50-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2010.01059.x [4] Lewis, T.L. and Nisenbaum, R.A. (2005) Extending the Stay: Using Community-Based Research and Service Learning to Enhance Short-Term Study Abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9, 251-264. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315305277682 [5] Norris, E.M. and Gillespie, J. (2009) How Study Abroad Shapes Global Careers: Evidence from the United States. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13, 382-397.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315308319740 [6] Long, S.O., Yemi, S.A., Purdy, R.W. and Nakano, K. (2010) Deepening Learning and Inspiring Rigor: Bridging Academic and Experiential Learning Using a Host Country Approach to a Study Tour. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 89-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315308327952 [7] Jones, R.S., Rowan-Kenyon, H.T., Ireland, S.M., Niehaus, E. and Skendall, K.C. (2012) The Meaning Students Make as Participants in Short-Term Immersion Programs. Journal of College Student Development, 53, 201-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2012.0026 [8] Davidson, D.E. (2010) Study Abroad: When, How Long, and with What Results? New Data from the Russian Front. Foreign Language Annals, 43, 6-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2010.01057.x [9] Allen, H.W. and Herron, C.A. (2003) A Mixed-Methodology Investigation of the Linguistic and Affective Outcomes of Summer Study Abroad. Foreign Language Annals, 36, 370-385.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2003.tb02120.x [10] Day, J.T. (1987) Student Motivation, Academic Validity, and the Summer Language Program Abroad: An Editorial. The Modern Language Journal, 71, 261-266.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1987.tb00365.x [11] Wilkinson, S. (1998) Study Abroad from the Participants’ Perspective: A Challenge to Common Beliefs. Foreign Lan- guage Annals, 31, 23-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1998.tb01330.x [12] Ingram, M. (2005) Recasting the Foreign Language Requirement through Study Abroad: A Cultural Immersion Program in Avignon. Foreign Language Annals, 38, 211-222. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2005.tb02486.x [13] Kitao, S.K. (1993) Preparation for and Results of a Short-Term Overseas Program in the United States. Bulletin of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture, 10, 107-118. [14] Stitsworth, M.H. and Sugiyama, Y. (1990) International Youth Exchanges: Measuring Their Impact on Attitudes (Abstract). ERIC Database, ERIC Number: ED331775. [15] McLeod, M. and Wainright, P. (2009) Researching the Study Abroad Experience. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13, 66-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315308317219 [16] Duff, P.A. (2007) Second Language Socialization as Sociocultural Theory: Insights and Issues. Language Teaching, 40, 309-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0261444807004508 [17] Atkinson, D. (2002) Toward a Sociocognitive Approach to Second Language Acquisition. Modern Language Journal, 86, 525-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1540-4781.00159 [18] Vickers, C.H. (2007) Second Language Socialization through Team Interaction among Electrical and Computer Engineering Students. The Modern Language Journal, 91, 621-640.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00626.x [19] Kinginger, C. (2008) Language Learning in Study Abroad: Case Studies of Americans in France. The Modern Language Journal, 92, 1-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2008.00821.x [20] Krashen, S.D. (1988) Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Prentice Hall, New York. [21] Wesely, P.M. (2012) Learner Attitudes, Perceptions, and Beliefs in Language Learning. Foreign Language Annals, 45, S98-S117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2012.01181.x [22] Horwitz, E.K. (1988) The Beliefs about Language Learning of Beginning University Foreign Language Students. Modern Language Journal, 72, 283-294.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1988.tb04190.x [23] Barcelos, A.F. and Kalaja, P. (2011) Introduction to Beliefs about SLA Revisited. System, 39, 281-289. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.07.001 [24] Jaeger, R.M. (1998) Survey Research Methods in Education. In: Jaeger, R.M., Ed., Complementary Methods for Research in Education, American Educational Research Association, Washington DC, 449-476. [25] Glaser, B. and and Strauss A.L. (1967) The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Al- dine, Chicago. [26] Behrens, J.T. and Smith, M.L. (1996) Data and Data Analysis. In: Berliner, R.C. andCalfee, D.C., Eds., Handbook of Educational Psychology, Macmillan, New York, 949-989. [27] Rifkin, B. (2000) Guidelines for Foreign Language Lesson Planning. Foreign Language Annals, 36, 176-179. [28] Theisen, T. (2013) What Are the Possibilities for “Student Voice” in the 21st Century? (President’s Message). Language Educator, 8, 7.
[1] Institute of International Education (2012) Open Doors 2012 Fast Facts. http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors [2] Castañeda, M.E. and Zirger, M. (2011) Making the Most of the “New” Study Abroad: Social Capital and the Short-Term Sojourn. Foreign Language Annals, 44, 544-564.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.07.001 [3] Wang, C. (2010) Toward a Second Language Socialization Perspective: Issues in Study Abroad Research. Foreign Language Annals, 43, 50-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2010.01059.x [4] Lewis, T.L. and Nisenbaum, R.A. (2005) Extending the Stay: Using Community-Based Research and Service Learning to Enhance Short-Term Study Abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9, 251-264. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315305277682 [5] Norris, E.M. and Gillespie, J. (2009) How Study Abroad Shapes Global Careers: Evidence from the United States. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13, 382-397.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315308319740 [6] Long, S.O., Yemi, S.A., Purdy, R.W. and Nakano, K. (2010) Deepening Learning and Inspiring Rigor: Bridging Academic and Experiential Learning Using a Host Country Approach to a Study Tour. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 89-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315308327952 [7] Jones, R.S., Rowan-Kenyon, H.T., Ireland, S.M., Niehaus, E. and Skendall, K.C. (2012) The Meaning Students Make as Participants in Short-Term Immersion Programs. Journal of College Student Development, 53, 201-220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2012.0026 [8] Davidson, D.E. (2010) Study Abroad: When, How Long, and with What Results? New Data from the Russian Front. Foreign Language Annals, 43, 6-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2010.01057.x [9] Allen, H.W. and Herron, C.A. (2003) A Mixed-Methodology Investigation of the Linguistic and Affective Outcomes of Summer Study Abroad. Foreign Language Annals, 36, 370-385.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2003.tb02120.x [10] Day, J.T. (1987) Student Motivation, Academic Validity, and the Summer Language Program Abroad: An Editorial. The Modern Language Journal, 71, 261-266.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1987.tb00365.x [11] Wilkinson, S. (1998) Study Abroad from the Participants’ Perspective: A Challenge to Common Beliefs. Foreign Lan- guage Annals, 31, 23-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1998.tb01330.x [12] Ingram, M. (2005) Recasting the Foreign Language Requirement through Study Abroad: A Cultural Immersion Program in Avignon. Foreign Language Annals, 38, 211-222. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2005.tb02486.x [13] Kitao, S.K. (1993) Preparation for and Results of a Short-Term Overseas Program in the United States. Bulletin of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture, 10, 107-118. [14] Stitsworth, M.H. and Sugiyama, Y. (1990) International Youth Exchanges: Measuring Their Impact on Attitudes (Abstract). ERIC Database, ERIC Number: ED331775. [15] McLeod, M. and Wainright, P. (2009) Researching the Study Abroad Experience. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13, 66-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1028315308317219 [16] Duff, P.A. (2007) Second Language Socialization as Sociocultural Theory: Insights and Issues. Language Teaching, 40, 309-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0261444807004508 [17] Atkinson, D. (2002) Toward a Sociocognitive Approach to Second Language Acquisition. Modern Language Journal, 86, 525-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1540-4781.00159 [18] Vickers, C.H. (2007) Second Language Socialization through Team Interaction among Electrical and Computer Engineering Students. The Modern Language Journal, 91, 621-640.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2007.00626.x [19] Kinginger, C. (2008) Language Learning in Study Abroad: Case Studies of Americans in France. The Modern Language Journal, 92, 1-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.2008.00821.x [20] Krashen, S.D. (1988) Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Prentice Hall, New York. [21] Wesely, P.M. (2012) Learner Attitudes, Perceptions, and Beliefs in Language Learning. Foreign Language Annals, 45, S98-S117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2012.01181.x [22] Horwitz, E.K. (1988) The Beliefs about Language Learning of Beginning University Foreign Language Students. Modern Language Journal, 72, 283-294.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1988.tb04190.x [23] Barcelos, A.F. and Kalaja, P. (2011) Introduction to Beliefs about SLA Revisited. System, 39, 281-289. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2011.07.001 [24] Jaeger, R.M. (1998) Survey Research Methods in Education. In: Jaeger, R.M., Ed., Complementary Methods for Research in Education, American Educational Research Association, Washington DC, 449-476. [25] Glaser, B. and and Strauss A.L. (1967) The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Al- dine, Chicago. [26] Behrens, J.T. and Smith, M.L. (1996) Data and Data Analysis. In: Berliner, R.C. andCalfee, D.C., Eds., Handbook of Educational Psychology, Macmillan, New York, 949-989. [27] Rifkin, B. (2000) Guidelines for Foreign Language Lesson Planning. Foreign Language Annals, 36, 176-179. [28] Theisen, T. (2013) What Are the Possibilities for “Student Voice” in the 21st Century? (President’s Message). Language Educator, 8, 7.