Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, Enrico Cecconi
Educators have increasingly recognized the need to provide opportunities that foster students’ intercultural understanding and prepare them for work in a complex, interconnected world (Hovland, 2014). Study abroad is one of the high-impact practices associated with powerful educational benefits such as cultural awareness, intercultural competence, and appreciation for diversity (Engberg, 2013; Kuh, 2008; Stebleton, Soria & Cherney, 2013). Studying abroad fosters exploration of linguistic and cultural traditions through academics and community engagement.
Sociocultural theories emphasize the importance of social interactions in culturally relevant activities for learning and development (e.g., Rogoff, 1990; Vygotsky, 1978). When students interact with others in community-embedded programs, they learn to apply knowledge and utilize developing language skills in real-world contexts (Kinginger, 2008).
We employed a sociocultural analytical framework to investigate the language experiences of 44 U.S. students (76% female) who participated in a semester study abroad program in Florence, Italy between 2009 and 2014. Participants completed a 50-question survey, developed specifically for this study but based on prior research (e.g., Shadowen, Chieffo & Guerra, 2015). Overwhelmingly, students rated their experiences in the city (e.g., talking to local vendors, going to markets) with language instructors, peers, and on their own as highly significant for their language learning. Additional results related to language practices and relevant activities will be presented.
The results will be considered in terms of the conference themes of creating and sustaining a culture of learning that engages students in meaningful experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Our results support the sociocultural theoretical perspective that participation in “situated activities” in everyday life fosters development and learning and enhances preparation for the future (Lave & Wenger, 1991). We will also highlight the benefits of conducting SoTL research in the context of study abroad and discuss the importance of multi-disciplinary collaborations for faculty development.
