The impact of study abroad programs on international communicative competence

2015 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K02769
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: Matthew APPLE 立命館大学, 文学部, 准教授 (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 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: study abroad / ICC / L2 selves / L2 speaking confidence / EFL

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In the financial year 2015, quantitative (questionnaire) data were collected as the first stage according to the established research plan. The pilot study comprised approximately 200 Japanese university students. Forty participants studied in short-term English language programs in other Asian countries. The remaining students studied in countries where English is the dominant language, with roughly half in short-term programs and half in year-long study abroad programs. Before and after the study abroad programs, all students took questionnaires with items concerning nonlinguistic factors such as intercultural competence, speaking confidence, and possible L2 selves. Data were analyzed to test construct unidimensionality and item reliability. Factors were then correlated and compared among the three groups. Based on the preliminary results, the questionnaire format and a few items were slightly modified.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Initial quantitative data were collected and preliminary analysis seemed to confirm the constructs. A few questionnaire items were slightly revised. More questionnaire data is needed to provide a balance among the three groups of participants; also, at least double, if not triple the number of participants is needed for proper statistical modeling. Several meetings were held among the researchers to confirm research roles within the research plan for 2016 and beyond.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Based the list of volunteers elicited from the quantitative phase of the proposed research, individual interviews will be arranged with students who have been accepted into study abroad programs starting in 2016. Interviews will be conducted with students prior to study abroad and returning from study abroad, either in person or via online video/audio. In principle, Co-Investigator 1 (Peter Neff) and Co-Investigator 3 (Michael Hood) will interview students in short-term and long-term ESL programs, while Co-Investigator 2 (Jonathan Aliponga) will interview students in short-term Asian EFL programs. The Principal Investigator will continue to administer questionnaires in 2016 for additional quantitative data collection while beginning preliminary data analysis from the 2015 questionnaires.

Causes of Carryover

Funds allocated for software expense in 2015 were not used because interview data was not available for analysis.

Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget

Funds from 2015 will be used to purchase interview data analysis software in 2016.