Language Acquisition in study abroad contexts.
What is it about?
This publication analyses the impact of a three-month study abroad period, within the ERASMUS exchange scheme, of language specialists EFL learners, in contrast with the impact of formal instruction at home. It analyses their linguistic and non-linguistic - motivation and attitude, interculturality - progress in relation to the programme conditions. It includes a theoretical introduction, a description of the research project giving rise to the studies contained in the publication, a description and reflection on the architecture of study abroad programmes, and a consideration of methodology and future research in this area of enquiry.
Why is it important?
It is one of the most robust studies in the past years as it is longitudinal - it tracks development over three years, in order to see the short, and long-term contrasting effect of studying at home and residing abroad. It is a multimeasures study: it analyses phonetics and pronunciation; grammar and vocabulary both written and oral; listening speaking and writing. It also taps on the individual factors already mentioned.