On the Interrelated Nature of Study Abroad Learners’ Language Contact, Perceptions of Culture, and Personal Outcomes

Abstract This study discusses a 5-week study abroad experience in which a group of English-speaking Canadian university students learning Spanish participated in a faculty-led study abroad experience in Spain. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative measurement and qualitative inquiry was used to explore how often and with whom the second language (L2) learners used English and Spanish during their sojourn. At the conclusion of the study abroad program, the learners completed a Language Contact Profile and responded to open-ended questions that encouraged their meta-reflection on language contact, perceptions of culture, and personal outcomes. The findings show that learners relied on situations from their free time abroad to better understand the target culture rather than on required activities such as visits to museums or heritage sites. Students reported an appreciation for the L2 culture, mostly related to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and an increase in their L2 confidence. The findings also underscore the importance of constant interaction in the target language with host community members. Future programming and related research should emphasize learners’ engagement with the host community, both prior to arrival and throughout their time abroad.RésuméCette étude traite d’une expérience d’études à l’étranger d’une durée de 5 semaines. Un groupe d’étudiants d’une université canadienne de langue anglaise apprenant l’espagnol ont séjourné en Espagne. Cette étude à méthodologie mixte a combiné des mesures quantitatives à une enquête qualitative pour explorer combien souvent et avec qui les apprenants de langue seconde utilisaient l’anglais et l’espagnol durant leur séjour. À la suite de ce séjour, les participants ont complété un profil de contacts linguistiques et ont répondu à des questions ouvertes encourageant la métaréflexion sur les contacts linguistiques, les perceptions de la culture et les résultats personnels. Les résultats ont révélé que les apprenants s’appuyaient sur leurs activités quotidiennes pour mieux comprendre la culture cible au lieu des activités requises comme les visites aux musées ou aux sites patrimoniaux.  En outre, les étudiants ont exprimé une appréciation de la langue seconde, surtout par rapport à l’ambiance décontractée et accueillante ainsi qu’à leur confiance accrue dans leur habileté à communiquer dans leur langue seconde. Les résultats ont aussi indiqué l’importance d’une interaction constante avec la langue seconde. La programmation future ainsi que la recherche qui y est reliée devrait favoriser l’interaction avec les étudiants et leurs hôtes, à la fois avant leur arrivée et pendant leur séjour à l’étranger

Ethnographic Study of Facebook Usage among the Persian and Arabic- Speaking Refugees and Asylum seekers in Asylum Center in Utrecht

This article presents an ethnographic research project to investigate and report the experiences of refugees in using Facebook groups and pages which are made and run by refugees in their own languages. These ethnic spaces within Facebook, arguably inform refugees about the host society and are spaces of language learning, sharing experiences and finding new friends. Based on the characteristics of such spaces, this research considers them as a type of ethnic media.  It is reported by the interviewees that these ethnic spaces, enhance collectiv. This study attempts to further clarify academic understanding of refugee`s experiences in using Facebook ethnic spaces, by looking at the perceptions and self-reports of a sample group of residents of AZC Utrecht, the Netherlands.  After briefly addressing the current Dutch asylum process and efforts to help refugees learn the Dutch language, this research explains the findings through interviews with a sample group of refugees and asylum seekers in the AZC Utrecht. For this project, 15 people were interviewed in their residence or public places in the city. They are from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The findings of this research indicate that all of the interviewed Persian and Arabic-speaking refugees have memberships in at least one ethnic space within Facebook. They use these spaces for gaining and sharing information about the host society, learning Dutch, reading news about the Netherlands, and to learn about activities for refugees offered by local organizations, as well as making new connections