Second Language Speaking and Intercultural Friendship Formation in Study Abroad: Experiences and Perspectives of International Students in the USA

Abstract

This chapter presents data regarding the second language (L2) and intercultural friendship experiences and perspectives of international students studying at a university in the USA. The majority of participants were Chinese, but five other nationalities were also represented. The study covers a 16-week term, which was the first semester in a 4-year extended study abroad (SA) for most participants. The quantitative and qualitative data analyses offer insight into factors that may influence the frequency and type of L2 interaction and intercultural relationships in SA. By understanding these learners’ experiences and perspectives regarding intercultural connections, practitioners may be better equipped to assist SA participants with initiating and maintaining friendship-oriented interactions in the L2 and therefore integrating more fully into the host community.

Appendices

Appendix A: Language Contact Profile

Appendix B: Writing Prompts

On a regular basis, the learners were given a series of questions as a prompt for their weekly journal assignment. The instructions for each journal were as follows:

This journal is a space for you to write freely, without worrying about grammar or the rules of academic writing. This will allow you to practice writing quickly and fluently. For this week’s journal assignment, please respond to any or all of the questions listed below. You should write at least 20 sentences and try to write for about 10–20 minutes. This assignment will be graded for completion.

The ten writing prompts used throughout the semester are listed below:

• 1. What are the biggest differences between your culture and American culture? What things have been most surprising to you or most difficult to adjust to since you arrived in the USA? What do you admire about American culture, and what do you not like?

• 2. How is your semester going so far? What have been the best or worst parts? Do you like your classes? Which are interesting or challenging for you? How do you feel about [course]? Do you have any suggestions or questions?

• 3. If you had 2 weeks to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? What are your reasons? (Try to use modals in your writing!) Do you enjoy travelling? Why or why not? What are the advantages or disadvantages of travelling?

• 4. Are there any differences between relationships (families, friends, dating, etc.) in your culture and in American culture? Is it easy or difficult to make friends with Americans? Explain your answer. Do you wish you had more American friends? Do you think it is important to have friends from different cultures?

• 5. Now that we are getting towards the middle of the semester, how are things going for you? Do you have any comments or feedback about [course]? (You can share positive or negative comments that you have so that we can continue making the class as good for you as possible.) What advice would you give to new students starting out at [university]? What are the essential tips to follow if you want to have a good experience as an international student here?

• 6. What different types of motivation are there? What do you think is your greatest motivation for school, for learning English, or for something else that you are pursuing? Explain. What types of motivation are not as important for you? Explain your answer.

• 7. In class this week, we talked about how languages can merge and adapt when there are large groups of people who speak different languages coming into contact with each other. For example, Spanglish has developed in the USA due to the contact between English speakers and Spanish speakers. Aside from linguistic changes, in what other ways are societies impacted by contact between different cultural groups? Try to think of different aspects of society that might be impacted either positively or negatively.

• 8. For your homework this week, you are reading about some of the effects that emotions can have on us. In light of this topic, please answer the following questions: even if we do not have emotional personalities, all of us have to deal with difficult challenges. What are some of the emotional challenges that you currently face or have faced as an international student at [university]? Do you have any strategies for helping yourself overcome the challenges you have encountered this semester? If so, what are they? If not, do you have any ideas about something that might be useful in the future?

• 9. In class this week, we talked about life sentences and the prison system in the USA, and we discussed the point that this is a very controversial issue. We have also discussed other controversial topics throughout the semester, such as poverty, caring for the elderly, video game violence, and immigration. What makes these kinds of topics so controversial? Do you think you generally agree with your American colleagues on these or other controversial topics? What are some of the biggest differences or similarities between how you (or people from your culture, in general) and Americans usually think about these or other topics?

• 10. Now that you have nearly completed one semester at [university], how do you think your thoughts or feelings about being here have changed? (e.g., Has it been easier or more difficult than you had expected? Have your interactions with other [university] students affected your perceptions of US culture?) Do you think that being in an English class [course] has been useful to you for (a) improving your language skills and (b) learning more about American culture? Explain your answers for each of these areas.