Language learner beliefs and study abroad: a study on English as a lingua franca (ELF)

Date
2014-02
Authors
Kaypak, E.
Ortaçtepe, D.
Advisor
Instructor
Source Title
System
Print ISSN
0346-251X
Electronic ISSN
Publisher
Elsevier
Volume
42
Issue
Pages
355 - 367
Language
English
Type
Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract

The English language used to be specific to English-speaking countries such as the U.S.; however, it has evolved to become the new lingua franca all around the world. Considering the growing number of students studying abroad in English as a lingua franca (ELF) communities, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between Turkish exchange students’ beliefs about English language learning and their study abroad sojourns in ELF contexts. The data were collected mainly through three instruments: language learner belief questionnaire (LLBQ), elicited journals, and a study abroad perception questionnaire (SAPQ). The quantitative and qualitative results revealed three important findings. First, there is a bi-directional relationship between students’ pre- and post-beliefs about English language learning and their perceptions of study abroad experiences. Second, Turkish exchange students’ overall beliefs remained almost the same across pre- and post-study abroad, suggesting that students might need stays longer than five months to have any observable changes in their beliefs about language learning. Third, although the current study’s participants reported a commitment toward native-speaker norms, they shifted their focus from accuracy to intelligibility, which helped them achieve their ultimate goal, that is, successful interaction in ELF communities.

Course
Other identifiers
Book Title
Keywords
English as a lingua franca (ELF), ELF communities, Study abroad, Language learner beliefs
Citation
Published Version (Please cite this version)