Short-Term Study Abroad: Perspectives on Speaking Gains and Language Contact

Previous studies have shown that study abroad has a positive effect on second language (L2) learning outcomes for students who spend at least a semester abroad. It is unclear, however, whether a short-term experience also has a measurable impact on L2 development. The present study examines the relationship between speaking proficiency gains made by students during a short-term study abroad program and their target language use outside of class in the host environment. To determine the potential relationships between speaking gains and language use, a background information questionnaire, a two-part modified language contact profile (LCP), and a pre-program and post-program simulated oral proficiency interview (SOPI) were administered to 20 students in a traditional short-term study abroad program in Spain. Findings indicate that the group did improve their speaking proficiency. At the same time, data taken from the LCP suggest that study abroad learners did not engage in extensive social interaction with native speakers throughout the duration of the program. To improve traditional short-term study abroad programs, the author uses these results to discuss aspects of the programmatic structure that could strengthen the program’s linguistic benefits

RWU Study Abroad Experts Collaborate on Study Abroad Program Handbook

Along with two RWU editors, the book features nine RWU authors and their experiences leading short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs

Spring 2008, Four UNH students named recipients of national awards for academic work abroad in 2008-2009

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program has awarded UNH seniors Erin Kiley and Lisa Mulvey prestigious national scholarships for post-baccalaureate work abroad in the coming academic year. Sophomore Jordan Caley and junior Holly Eaton will study abroad during the coming academic year on Boren Scholarships awarded competitively through the National Security Education Program (NSEP). They are among a group of 150 students selected from a national pool of 697

Life as a Norwegian

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Annalise Oertwich describes her observations during her study abroad program at Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway

Person to Person in Japan

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Stacey Strovink describes her observations during her study abroad program at Kanto Gakuin University in Yokohama, Japan

Endings

Postcard from Jory Gibson, during the Linfield College Year Abroad Program at the Center for Cross-Cultural Study in Seville, Spai

Interview between International Students

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Alyssa Kuwamoto describes her observations during her study abroad program at Kanto Gakuin University in Yokohama, Japan

Person to Person in Japan

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Jackson Decker describes his observations during his study abroad program at Kanto Gakuin University in Yokohama, Japan

Learning German Culture

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Courtney McGrath describes her observations during her study abroad program at Nürtingen-Geislingen University in Nürtingen, Germany

Norwegian Style Manners

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Taylor Brown describes her observations during her study abroad program at Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway