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The impact of study abroad programs on international communicative competence

Research Project

Project/Area Number 15K02769
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Research Field Foreign language education
Research InstitutionRitsumeikan University

Principal Investigator

Apple Matthew  立命館大学, 文学部, 教授 (80411073)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) アリポンガ ジョナサン  関西国際大学, 教育学部, 教授 (50388873)
NEFF Peter  同志社大学, グローバル・コミュニケーション学部, 准教授 (70411072)
Hood Michael  日本大学, 商学部, 准教授 (90349928)
Project Period (FY) 2015-04-01 – 2020-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2019)
Budget Amount *help
¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
Fiscal Year 2015: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000)
Keywordsstudy abroad / ICC / possible L2 selves / L2 confidence / Study abroad / Possible L2 selves / L2 speaking confidence / Inner Circle country / Expanding Circle country / intercultural competence / speaking confidence / L2 selves / EFL
Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to examine how two groups of Japanese learners of English going abroad for different lengths of time (one month (n = 79) and one year (n = 70) respectively) were affected by their international experience across a range of non-linguistic variables. Pre- and post-SA survey data were collected from both groups, and results from data analysis indicate that both groups achieved significant benefits in increased L2 speaking confidence and a strengthening of sense of an Ideal L2 self, while also undergoing a weakening of Ought-to L2 self. However, these improvements were often more pronounced in the long-term group. Moreover, those in the one-year program demonstrated an increase in ethnocentrism whereas the short-term SA participants experienced a decline in this measure.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The results of this study demonstrates the benefits in non-linguistic terms of study abroad both for short-term and long-term programs and shows that L2 learners benefit most through social interaction in the L2, gaining greater confidence in speaking the language and a stronger sense of L2 self.

Report

(6 results)
  • 2019 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2018 Research-status Report
  • 2017 Research-status Report
  • 2016 Research-status Report
  • 2015 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (5 results)

All 2018 2017 2016

All Presentation (5 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 3 results)

  • [Presentation] The long and short of it: Does study abroad alter EFL learners’ self-perceptions?2018

    • Author(s)
      Neff, P., Apple, M., & Aliponga, J.
    • Organizer
      Language In Focus (LIF) 2018
    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] The long and short of it: Does study abroad alter EFL learners’ self-perceptions?2018

    • Author(s)
      Apple, M., Neff, P., & Aliponga, J.
    • Organizer
      Psychology of Language Learning 3
    • Related Report
      2018 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Changes in non-linguistic variables before and after short- and long-term study abroad2017

    • Author(s)
      Jonathan Aliponga and Michael Hood
    • Organizer
      AILA World Congress 2017
    • Related Report
      2017 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Possible L2 Selves and confidence in study abroad2016

    • Author(s)
      M. Apple, P. Neff, & J. Aliponga
    • Organizer
      JALT 42nd (2016) Annual International Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Aichi Industry & Labor Center (Nagoya, Aichi)
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] The L2 self overseas: The influence of short-term and long-term study abroad on confidence and self-concept2016

    • Author(s)
      M. Apple, & P. Neff
    • Organizer
      Focus on the Learner 2016
    • Place of Presentation
      Konin, Poland
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research

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Published: 2015-04-16   Modified: 2022-01-27  

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