Cover not available
Part of
Advances in Spanish as a Heritage Language
Edited by Diego Pascual y Cabo
[Studies in Bilingualism 49] 2016
► pp. 259–280

Heritage language learning in study abroad

Motivations, identity work, and language development

ORCID logo | Illinois State University

Heritage language (HL) learners who study abroad in a HL-speaking country have the opportunity to engage in social interactions in the HL in a variety of contexts. The handful of existing studies on this topic have examined HL learners’ motivations for studying abroad, as well as their identity construction and HL development during study abroad. While second language (L2) and HL study abroad students share some common experiences, there are also important differences. HL learners may be held to higher standards of cultural and linguistic competency and face negative attitudes toward their HL variety or proficiency level. This chapter reviews the literature on HL learners in study abroad and offers suggestions for future research directions.

Published online: 20 July 2016
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/sibil.49.14shi
References
Beaudrie, S., & Fairclough, M
(Eds) (2012) Spanish as a heritage language in the United States: The state of the field. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.Google Scholar
Beausoleil, A
(2008) Understanding heritage and ethnic identity development through study abroad: The case of South Korea. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of California at Santa Barbara.Google Scholar
Block, D
(2007) Second language identities. London: Continuum.Google Scholar
Brecht, R.D., Davidson, D., & Ginsberg, R
(1995) Predictors of foreign language gain during study abroad. In B.F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (Studies in Bilingualism 9) (pp. 37–66). Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Byram, M
(1997) Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Carreira, M.M
(2012) Meeting the needs of heritage language learners: Approaches, strategies, and research. In S.M. Beaudrie & M. Fairclough (Eds.), Spanish as a heritage language in the United States (pp. 223–240). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.Google Scholar
Coleman, J
(1996) Studying languages: A survey of British and European students: The proficiency, background, attitudes and motivations of students of foreign languages in the United Kingdom and Europe. London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research.Google Scholar
Collentine, J., & Freed, B.F
(2004) Learning context and its effect on second language acquisition. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 26, 153–171. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Comp, D
(2007) What we know about diversity in education abroad: State of the research. In C.A. Herrin, S. Dadzie, & S.A. MacDonald (Eds.), Proceedings for the colloquium on diversity in education abroad: How to change the picture (pp. 48–52). Washington, DC: Academy for Educational Development.Google Scholar
Davidson, D.E., & Lekic, M.D
(2013) The heritage and non-heritage learner in the overseas immersion context: Comparing learning outcomes and target-language utilization in the Russian Flagship. Heritage Language Journal, 10, 88–114.Google Scholar
Donitsa-Schmidt, S., & Vadish, M
(2005) North American students in Israel: An evaluation of a study abroad experience. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 11, 33–56.Google Scholar
Duff, P.A
(2012) Second language socialization. In A. Duranti, E. Ochs, & B.B. Schieffelin (Eds.), The handbook of language socialization (pp. 564–586). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
DuFon, M.A
(1999) The acquisition of linguistic politeness in Indonesian by sojourners in naturalistic interactions. Unpublished PhD dissertation. University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu.Google Scholar
DuFon, M.A., & Churchill, E
(Eds.) (2006) Language learners in study abroad contexts. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Félix-Brasdefer, C
(2004) Interlanguage refusals: Linguistic politeness and length of residence in the target community. Language Learning, 54, 587–653. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Fernández, J
(2014) Youngspeak and study abroad: Exposure, dispositions and language use. Paper presented at the 19th International Conference on Pragmatics and Language Learning, Bloomington, IN, April 24-26.
Freed, B.F
(1990) Language learning in a study abroad context: The effects of interactive and noninteractive out-of-class contact on grammatical achievement and oral proficiency. In J. Alatis (Ed.), Linguistics, language teaching, and language acquisition: The interdependence of theory, practice, and research (pp. 459–477). Washington DC: Georgetown University Press.Google Scholar
(1995) What makes us think that students who study abroad become fluent? In B.F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (Studies in Bilingualism 9) (pp. 123–148). Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(Ed.) (1995) Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (Studies in Bilingualism 9). Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Gardner, R.C., & Lambert, W.E
(1972) Attitudes and motivation in second language learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.Google Scholar
Hernández, T.A
(2010) The relationship among motivation, interaction, and the development of second language oral proficiency in a study-abroad context. The Modern Language Journal, 94, 600–617. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Iino, M
2006 Norms of interaction in a Japanese homestay setting: Toward two-way flow of linguistic and cultural resources. In M.A. DuFon & E. Churchill (Eds.), Language Learners in Study Abroad Contexts (pp. 151–173). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Institute of International Education
(2012) Open doors report on international educational exchange. New York, NY: Institute of International Education.Google Scholar
Isabelli-García, C.L
(2006) Study abroad social networks, motivation, and attitudes: Implications for SLA. In M.A. DuFon & E. Churchill (Eds.), Language Learners in Study Abroad Contexts (pp. 231–258). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Jackson, M.J
(2005) Breaking the barriers to overseas study for students of color and minorities. IIE Networker, Fall, 16–18.Google Scholar
Kinginger, C
(2004) Alice doesn’t live here anymore: Foreign language learning and identity construction. In A. Pavlenko & A. Blackledge (Eds.), Negotiation of identities in multilingual contexts (pp. 219–242). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
(2008) Language learning in study abroad: Case studies of Americans in France (Modern Language Journal Monograph, Vol. 1). Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar
(2009) Language learning and study abroad: A critical reading of research. Houndmills, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Knouse, S.M
(2013) Phonemes in a study abroad context: The case of the Castilian theta. Foreign Language Annals, 45, 512–542. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Landau, J. & Moore, D.C
(2001) Towards reconciliation in the motherland: Race, class, nationality, gender, and the complexities of American student presence at the University of Ghana, Legon. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 7, 25–59.Google Scholar
Lantolf, J.P., & Thorne, S.L
(2006) Sociocultural theory and the genesis of second language development. Oxford: OUP.Google Scholar
Le, J
(2004) Affective characteristics of American students studying Chinese in China: A study of heritage and non-heritage learners’ beliefs and foreign language anxiety. Unpublished PhD dissertation. University of Texas, Austin.Google Scholar
Leeman, J
(2012) Investigating language ideologies in Spanish as a heritage language. In S.M. Beaudrie & M. Fairclough (Eds.), Spanish as a heritage language in the United States (pp. 43–59). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.Google Scholar
Llanes, A., & Muñoz, C
(2013) Age effects in a study abroad context: Children and adults studying abroad and at home. Language Learning, 63, 63–90. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Lynch, A
(2003) The relationship between second and heritage language acquisition: Notes on research and theory building. Heritage Language Journal, 1, 1–18.Google Scholar
Mar-Molinero, C., & Paffey, D
(2011) Linguistic imperialism: Who owns global Spanish? In M. Díaz-Campos (Ed.), The handbook of Hispanic sociolinguistics (pp. 747–764). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Marriott, H
(1995) The acquisition of politeness patterns by exchange students in Japan. In B.F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (Studies in Bilingualism 9) (pp. 197–224). Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Martinsen, R.A
(2010) Short-term study abroad: Predicting changes in oral skills. Foreign Language Annals, 43, 504–530. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Martinsen, R.A., Baker, W., Dewey, D., Bown, J., & Johnson, C
(2010) Exploring diverse settings for language acquisition and use: Comparing study abroad, service learning abroad, and foreign language housing. Applied Language Learning, 20, 45–69.Google Scholar
McLaughlin, T.R
(2001) Perspectives on learning Spanish as a heritage language in Mexico: Four Chicana case studies. Unpublished MA thesis. Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Mexico.Google Scholar
Moreno, K.H
(2009) The study abroad experiences of heritage language learners: Discourses of identity. Unpublished PhD dissertation. University of Texas, Austin, TX.Google Scholar
Morgan, R.M., Mwegelo, D.T., & Turner, L.N
(2002) Black women in the African diaspora seeking their cultural heritage through studying abroad. NASPA Journal, 39, 333–353. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Parry, J
(2014) Experiences with study abroad in Israel: Heritage status and Hebrew. Hebrew Higher Education, 16, 37–64.Google Scholar
Pellegrino, V
(2005) Study abroad and second language use: Constructing the self. Cambridge: CUP. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Petrucci, P.R
(2007) Heritage scholars in the ancestral homeland: An overlooked identity in study abroad research. Sociolinguistic Studies, 1, 275–296. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Potowski, K
(2002) Experiences of Spanish heritage speakers in university foreign language courses and implications for teacher training. ADFL Bulletin, 33, 35–42. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(2012) Identity and heritage learners: Moving beyond essentializations. In S.M. Beaudrie & M. Fairclough (Eds.), Spanish as a heritage language in the United States (pp. 179–199). Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.Google Scholar
(2013) Heritage learners of Spanish. In K.L. Geeslin (Ed.), The handbook of Spanish second language acquisition (pp. 404–422). New York, NY: Wiley. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Regan, V., Howard, M., & Lemée, I
(2009) The acquisition of sociolinguistic competence in a study abroad context. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Riegelhaupt, F., & Carrasco, R.L
(2000) Mexico host family reactions to a bilingual Chicana teacher in Mexico: A case study of language and culture clash. Bilingual Research Journal, 24, 405–421. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Rubin, K
(2004) Going home to study. International Educator, 13, 26–33.Google Scholar
Salgado-Robles, F
(2012) The acquisition of sociolinguistic variation by learners of Spanish in a study abroad context. Unpublished PhD dissertation. University of Florida, Gainesville.Google Scholar
Shively, R.L
(2011) L2 pragmatic development in study abroad: A longitudinal study of Spanish service encounters. Journal of Pragmatics, 43, 1818–1835. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
(2013) Learning to be funny in Spanish during study abroad: L2 humor development. The Modern Language Journal, 97, 930–946. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Shively, R.L., & Cohen, A.D
(2008) Development of Spanish requests and apologies during study abroad. Íkala, Revista de Lenguaje y Cultura, 13, 57–118.Google Scholar
Sweeney, K
(2013) Inclusive excellence and underrepresentation of students of color in study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 23, 1–21.Google Scholar
Szekely, B.B
(1998) Seeking heritage in study abroad. In T.M. Davis (Ed.), Open doors 1997/98: Report on international educational exchange. New York, NY: Institute of International Education.Google Scholar
Talburt, S., & Stewart, M.A
(1999) What’s the subject of study abroad? Race, gender, and “living culture.” The Modern Language Journal, 83, 163–175. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Valdés, G
(2005) Bilingualism, heritage language learners, and SLA research: opportunities lost or seized? The Modern Language Journal, 89, 410–426. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Vande Berg, M., Connor-Linton, J., & Paige, R.M
(2009) The Georgetown Consortium Project: Intervening in student learning abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 18, 1–75.Google Scholar
Van Der Meid, J.S
(2003) Asian Americans: Factors influencing the decision to study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 9, 71–110.Google Scholar
Wenger, E
(1998) Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge: CUP. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Wilkinson, S
(2002) The omnipresent classroom during summer study abroad: American students in conversation with their French hosts. The Modern Language Journal, 86, 157–173. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Cited by

Cited by 13 other publications

Burgo, Clara
2020. The impact of study abroad on Spanish heritage language learners. Journal of Latinos and Education 19:3 ► pp. 304 ff. DOI logo
Comstock, Lindy & Olga E. Kagan
2020. The Heritage Language Learner in Study Abroad Programs: Challenges to Achieving Intercultural Competence. Journal of Language, Identity & Education 19:6 ► pp. 428 ff. DOI logo
Diao, Wenhao
2021. Speaking against racism: stories of successful Chinese L2 learners of color in China. Critical Inquiry in Language Studies 18:2 ► pp. 105 ff. DOI logo
Díaz, Adriana Raquel & Laura Callahan
2020. Intercultural communicative competence and Spanish heritage language speakers: an overview from the U.S., Australia and Europe. Journal of Spanish Language Teaching 7:2 ► pp. 150 ff. DOI logo
George, Angela & Anne Hoffman-González
2019. Dialect and identity. Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education 4:2 ► pp. 252 ff. DOI logo
Isabelli-García, Christina, Jennifer Bown, John L. Plews & Dan P. Dewey
2018. Language learning and study abroad. Language Teaching 51:4 ► pp. 439 ff. DOI logo
Isabelli-García, Christina L. & Casilde A. Isabelli
2020. What Differential Learning Factors Need to Be Considered in Study Abroad Research?. In Researching Second Language Acquisition in the Study Abroad Learning Environment, ► pp. 47 ff. DOI logo
Lacorte, Manel
2018. Multiliteracies Pedagogy and Heritage Language Teacher Education: A Model for Professional Development. In Multiliteracies Pedagogy and Language Learning, ► pp. 197 ff. DOI logo
Lee, Hakyoon, YouJin Kim & Bumyong Choi
2023. Study abroad, language usage, and the development of multilingual identities: The case of 1.5 generation Korean–American students. Applied Linguistics Review 14:1 ► pp. 197 ff. DOI logo
Marijuan, Silvia & Cristina Sanz
2018. Expanding Boundaries: Current and New Directions in Study Abroad Research and Practice. Foreign Language Annals 51:1 ► pp. 185 ff. DOI logo
Martínez, Nydia, Gina Mikel Petrie & Catherine Nolan-Ferrell
2021. Studying abroad in Mexico with Mexican ancestry: Desiring to be ‘one of ours’. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development ► pp. 1 ff. DOI logo
Pozzi, Rebecca & Lina Reznicek-Parrado
2021. Problematizing heritage language identities. Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education 6:2 ► pp. 189 ff. DOI logo
U. Maruyama, Naho
2017. Reunion or disconnection? Emotional labor among individual roots tourists who are second-generation Chinese Americans. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research 11:3 ► pp. 309 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 13 may 2023. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.