Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Second Language Learning in a Study Abroad Context

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Second and Foreign Language Education

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Language and Education ((ELE))

Abstract

This chapter provides a broad overview of research on language learning in study abroad contexts. The historical origins of this research are examined, revealing that in this domain as elsewhere in the literature on applied linguistics and language education, there is a long-term tension between documentation of outcomes and qualitative scrutiny of learning processes. Current research efforts are varied in focus and include: (1) studies of outcomes defined in terms of holistic constructs such as proficiency, fluency, or skills; (2) scrutiny of outcomes defined as components of communicative competence (i.e., linguistic, actional, discourse, sociolinguistic, and strategic abilities); and (3) ethnographic and other qualitative work exploring the nature of the study abroad experience as a context for language learning. The limitations of the contemporary research base, in both scope and methodology, are outlined and directions for future investigations are suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Barron, A. (2003). Acquisition in interlanguage pragmatics: Learning how to do things with words in a study abroad context. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Boers, F., & Lindstromberg, S. (2009). Maximizing a lexical approach to instructed second language acquisition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brecht, R., Davidson, D., & Ginsburg, 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: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, J. (1967). Foreign language proficiency levels attained by language majors near graduation from college. Foreign Language Annals, 1(1), 131–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J. (1996). Studying languages: A survey of British and European students. London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J.A. (1997). Residence abroad within language study. Language Teaching, 30, 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J. (2013). Researching whole persons and whole lives. In C. Kinginger (Ed.), Social and cultural aspects of language learning in study abroad (pp. 17–44). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Collentine, J. (2004). The effects of learning contexts on morpho-syntactic development. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 26(2), 227–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekeyser, R. (2010). Monitoring processes in Spanish as a second language during a study abroad program. Foreign Language Annals, 43(1), 80–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diao, W. (2011). Study abroad, participation, and turn-taking: A case study. In G. Granena (Ed.), Selected proceedings of the 2010 Second Language Research Forum (pp. 1–17). Somerville: Cascadilla Proceedings Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, J. (2013). A corpus-based study of vague language use by learners of Spanish in a study abroad context. In C. Kinginger (Ed.), Social and cultural aspects of language learning in study abroad (pp. 299–331). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Freed, B. (Ed.). (1995a). Second language acquisition in a study abroad context. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freed, B. (1995b). What makes us think that students who study abroad become fluent? In B. F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp. 123–148). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Freed, B., Segalowitz, N., & Dewey, D. (2004). Contexts of learning and second language fluency in French: Comparing regular classrooms, study abroad, and domestic immersion programs. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 26(2), 275–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henery, A. (2014). Interpreting “real” French: The role of expert mediation in learner observations, understandings, and use of pragmatic practices while abroad. Ph.D. diss, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, M. (2005). On the role of context in the development of learner language: Insights from study abroad research. ITL Review of Applied Linguistics, 147–8, 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huebner, T. (1995). The effects of overseas language programs: Report on a case study of an intensive Japanese program. In B. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp. 171–193). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ife, A., Vives Boix, G., & Meara, P. (2000). The impact of study abroad on the vocabulary development of different proficiency groups. Spanish Applied Linguistics, 4(1), 55–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinginger, C. (2008). Language learning in study abroad: Case studies of Americans in France. Modern Language Journal, 92, 1. Monoograph.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinginger, C. (2009). Language learning and study abroad: A critical reading of research. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lafford, B. (2004). The effect of context of learning on the use of communication strategies by learners of Spanish as a second Language. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 26, 201–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • McManus, K., Mitchell, R., & Tracy-Ventura, N. (2014). Understanding insertion and integration in a study abroad context: The case of English-speaking sojourners in France. Revue Française de Linguistique Appliquée, 14(2), 97–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milton, J., & Meara, P. (1995). How periods abroad affect vocabulary growth in a foreign language. ITL Review of Applied Linguistics, 107(8), 17–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mora, J. (2008). Learning context effects on the acquisition of a second language phonology. In C. Pérez-Vidal, M. Juan-Garau, & A. Bel (Eds.), A portrait of the young in the new multilingual Spain (pp. 241–263). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, M. (2004). Pronunciation matters. Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German, 37(1), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omaggio, A. (1986). Teaching language in context: Proficiency-oriented instruction. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-Vidal, C. (2014). Language acquisition in study abroad and formal instruction contexts. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Polanyi, L. (1995). Language learning and living abroad: Stories from the field. In B. F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp. 271–291). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Polio, C., & Zyzik, E. (2009). Don Quixote meets ser and estar: Multiple perspectives on language learning in Spanish literature classes. Modern Language Journal, 93(4), 550–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rees, J., & Klapper, J. (2008). Issues in the quantitative longitudinal measurement of second language progress in study abroad contexts. In L. Ortega & H. Byrnes (Eds.), The longitudinal study of advanced L2 capacities (pp. 89–105). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Regan, V., Howard, M., & Lemée, I. (2009). The acquisition of sociolinguistic competence in a study abroad context. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumann, J. (1976). Social distance as a factor in second language acquisition. Language Learning, 26(1), 135–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schumann, F. (1980). Diary of a language learner: A further analysis. In R. Scarcella & S. Krashen (Eds.), Research in second language acquisition (pp. 51–57). Cambridge, MA: Newbury House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumann, J., & Schumann, F. (1977). Diary of a language learner: Introspective study of SLA. In H. Brown, C. Yorio, & R. Crymes (Eds.), On TESOL’77 (pp. 241–249). Washington, DC: TESOL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shardakova, M. (2005). Intercultural pragmatics in the speech of American L2 learners of Russian: Apologies offered by Americans in Russian. Intercultural Pragmatics, 2–4, 423–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Compernolle, R. A. (2014). Sociocultural theory and L2 instructional pragmatics. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, R. (1994). The year abroad – A linguistic challenge. Teanga, 14, 48–57.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Linguistics, The Pennsylvania State University, 305 Sparks Building, University Park, Philadelphia, PA, 16802-5203, USA

    Celeste Kinginger

Authors
  1. Celeste Kinginger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Celeste Kinginger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center Language Study, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Nelleke Van Deusen-Scholl

  2. Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Stephen May

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this entry

Cite this entry

Kinginger, C. (2017). Second Language Learning in a Study Abroad Context. In: Van Deusen-Scholl, N., May, S. (eds) Second and Foreign Language Education. Encyclopedia of Language and Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02246-8_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation