Many third level language students will opt for a stay abroad in the target language-speaking context. Their aim is to immerse themselves in the target language and acquire as much of the language as possible. Students reach this goal with varying success and this can be frustrating for teachers. This task presents some state of the art research literature which outlines issues such as the strategic behaviours, social networks, and local engagement of successful learners. This literature proposes what can be expected from learners  and may help teachers to better support their language acquisition during the course of their stay abroad.

Technology required:   Journal and library access

Material and links

• https://benjamins.com/#catalog/books/sibil.9/main
• http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/370193/
• https://benjamins.com/#catalog/journals/sar.1.2/main

On completion of this task, teachers will accessed research literature relating to the stay abroad and language acquisition. They will understand better the process of language acquisition during their stay abroad.  

Procedure

1. 1. Write down your thoughts on second language acquisition and the stay abroad: How do students acquire language in the immersion context? What strategies assist the attainment of language learning aims? What characteristics do successful learners display in the stay abroad setting? What activities do students engage in?

1. 1. The materials suggested for this task comprise a journal, an edited book, and a research paper. Using your institution’s library resources, access these materials, and choose some articles/chapters to read which are particularly relevant to you and your students’ experiences.

1. Do an internet search to locate further relevant research. See task (REF required here) which is related to search literacy.  

CPD reference material

Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education, edited by Martin Howard and Anne-Marie Devlin: https://benjamins.com/#catalog/journals/sar.1.2/main

Second Language Acquisition in a Study Abroad Context, Edited by Barbara F. Freed: https://benjamins.com/#catalog/books/sibil.9/main

Mitchell, Rosamond (2015) The development of social relations during residence abroad. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 9, (1), 1-14.: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/370193/

Source/attribution: DigiLanguages        Author:   Emma Riordan