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Chapter 12. Contrasting intercultural awareness at home and abroad

  • Elena Merino and Pilar Avello
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Language Acquisition in Study Abroad and Formal Instruction Contexts
This chapter is in the book Language Acquisition in Study Abroad and Formal Instruction Contexts

Abstract

This chapter examines the effects of Study Abroad (SA), following Formal Instruction (FI), on a group of Catalan/Spanish English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners (n = 28) regarding changes in their intercultural awareness. Data from this group were compared with data from a group of native speakers of English (n = 26) enrolled in a SA program in Spain. Following one of the main objectives in the SALA Project, we seek to understand to what extent learners’ cultural beliefs may change after a three-month SA program. Results showed that intercultural awareness increased immediately following SA but not FI, and it decreased 15 months upon the EFL learners’ return from the SA period. No statistically significant differences were found between the Catalan/Spanish undergraduates and the English group.

Abstract

This chapter examines the effects of Study Abroad (SA), following Formal Instruction (FI), on a group of Catalan/Spanish English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners (n = 28) regarding changes in their intercultural awareness. Data from this group were compared with data from a group of native speakers of English (n = 26) enrolled in a SA program in Spain. Following one of the main objectives in the SALA Project, we seek to understand to what extent learners’ cultural beliefs may change after a three-month SA program. Results showed that intercultural awareness increased immediately following SA but not FI, and it decreased 15 months upon the EFL learners’ return from the SA period. No statistically significant differences were found between the Catalan/Spanish undergraduates and the English group.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Chapter 1. Contributions of study abroad research to our understanding of SLA processes and outcomes 1
  4. Part I. The SALA Project
  5. Chapter 2. Study abroad and formal instruction contrasted 17
  6. Chapter 3. The ‘ins and outs’ of a study abroad programme 59
  7. Part II. The SALA Project
  8. Chapter 4. Oral accuracy growth after formal instruction and study abroad 87
  9. Chapter 5. L2 fluency development in formal instruction and study abroad 111
  10. Chapter 6. Phonological development in L2 speech production during study abroad programmes differing in length of stay 137
  11. Chapter 7. The role of onset level on L2 perceptual phonological development after formal instruction and study abroad 167
  12. Chapter 8. Listening performance and onset level in formal instruction and study abroad 195
  13. Chapter 9. Comparing progress in academic writing after formal instruction and study abroad 217
  14. Chapter 10. English L2 learners’ lexico-grammatical and motivational development at home and abroad 235
  15. Chapter 11. A longitudinal study of learners’ motivation and beliefs in at home and study abroad contexts 259
  16. Chapter 12. Contrasting intercultural awareness at home and abroad 283
  17. Part III. The SALA Project and beyond
  18. Chapter 13. Research on language development during study abroad 313
  19. Index 327
https://doi.org/10.1075/aals.13.14ch12

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Chapter 1. Contributions of study abroad research to our understanding of SLA processes and outcomes 1
  4. Part I. The SALA Project
  5. Chapter 2. Study abroad and formal instruction contrasted 17
  6. Chapter 3. The ‘ins and outs’ of a study abroad programme 59
  7. Part II. The SALA Project
  8. Chapter 4. Oral accuracy growth after formal instruction and study abroad 87
  9. Chapter 5. L2 fluency development in formal instruction and study abroad 111
  10. Chapter 6. Phonological development in L2 speech production during study abroad programmes differing in length of stay 137
  11. Chapter 7. The role of onset level on L2 perceptual phonological development after formal instruction and study abroad 167
  12. Chapter 8. Listening performance and onset level in formal instruction and study abroad 195
  13. Chapter 9. Comparing progress in academic writing after formal instruction and study abroad 217
  14. Chapter 10. English L2 learners’ lexico-grammatical and motivational development at home and abroad 235
  15. Chapter 11. A longitudinal study of learners’ motivation and beliefs in at home and study abroad contexts 259
  16. Chapter 12. Contrasting intercultural awareness at home and abroad 283
  17. Part III. The SALA Project and beyond
  18. Chapter 13. Research on language development during study abroad 313
  19. Index 327
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