Reflections on Language Acquisition in Students who have Studied Abroad

Presenter Information

Olivia ChamberlainFollow

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Spanish

Minor

International Studies

List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)

Tanya Romero-Gonzalez, PhD.

Presentation Format

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Description

This research involves how education abroad, in a country of the language a student studies, improves a student’s acquisition of a language and that language’s culture. Possible obstacles such as culture shock are explored, along with help a student can receive to help overcome these obstacles. This study explored how the amount of time spent abroad affects their acquisition and through a survey of Murray State University students I compare the data to other studies in this research. Results indicated that the longer amount of time spent abroad in a foreign country, along with overcoming obstacles influenced how students learn and remember the language they study. This suggests that exposure to a language for extended periods of time aid in learning a language, and that despite obstacles, language acquisition is improved when a student studies abroad.

Affiliations

Modern Languages Senior Colloquium

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Reflections on Language Acquisition in Students who have Studied Abroad

This research involves how education abroad, in a country of the language a student studies, improves a student’s acquisition of a language and that language’s culture. Possible obstacles such as culture shock are explored, along with help a student can receive to help overcome these obstacles. This study explored how the amount of time spent abroad affects their acquisition and through a survey of Murray State University students I compare the data to other studies in this research. Results indicated that the longer amount of time spent abroad in a foreign country, along with overcoming obstacles influenced how students learn and remember the language they study. This suggests that exposure to a language for extended periods of time aid in learning a language, and that despite obstacles, language acquisition is improved when a student studies abroad.