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Article In:
Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education
Vol. 8:1 (2023) ► pp.24–49

L2 learning and religious communities of practice in study abroad

| Illinois State University

The “social turn” in ongoing efforts to understand L2 acquisition in study abroad has brought about valuable additions to the literature, encouraging researchers to consider notions of identity in study abroad such as gender, class, nationality, race, and sex. This study focuses on an under-researched aspect of identity abroad: religiosity, and the benefit of pre-existing beliefs to find, create, and become a member of religious communities of practice for personal support – during what can be a difficult time of adjustment and homesickness – as well as for practice and learning in the L2. Findings indicate that joining religious communities of practice while abroad can encourage L2 learning while supporting critical notions of the L2 learner’s identity.

Keywords: religious communities of practice, second language socialization, identity and L2 learning
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1L2 socialization
    • 2.2Identity and L2 learning abroad
    • 2.3CoPs
    • 2.4Religiosity and spirituality
    • 2.5Research questions
  • 3.Methods
    • 3.1Madeline’s description
    • 3.2Study location
    • 3.3Data collection
    • 3.4Data analysis
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1First semester in Angers: Classes, homestay, and other social opportunities
    • 4.2Second semester in Angers: The importance of speaking in French
    • 4.3Increase in opportunities to speak in French
    • 4.4Church-going CoP
    • 4.5Bible study
  • 5.Discussion and conclusion
    • 5.1Research question 1: How did the study abroad participant’s language learning shift as a result of participation in religious CoPs?
    • 5.2Research question 2: In what ways did participation in religious CoPs during SA relate to the student’s L2 learning and identity negotiation?
    • 5.3Limitations
    • 5.4Implications for SA programs
  • References
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
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