ERIC Number: EJ923565
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Mar
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-2133
EISSN: N/A
Predicting Changes in Cultural Sensitivity among Students of Spanish during Short-Term Study Abroad
Martinsen, Rob
Hispania, v94 n1 p121-141 Mar 2011
Short-term study abroad programs of less than a semester are becoming increasingly popular among undergraduate students in the United States. However, little research has examined the changes in students' cultural sensitivity through their participation in such programs or what factors may predict growth and improvement in such areas. This study measured students' cultural sensitivity before and after a six week study abroad program and found a small but significant increase in students' cultural sensitivity, with time spent interacting with native speakers while abroad predicting such increases. Interestingly, students' skill in oral Spanish, motivation, and relationship with a host family did not predict improvements in cultural sensitivity. Results also suggest that there may be an optimal amount of interaction with native speakers that is beneficial for gaining cultural sensitivity for students abroad. (Contains 3 notes, 2 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Cultural Awareness, Native Speakers, Study Abroad, Oral Language, Spanish, Language Skills, Learning Motivation, Family Relationship, Prediction, Intercultural Communication, Second Language Learning
American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, Inc. 900 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390. Tel: 248-960-2180; Fax: 248-960-9570; e-mail: AATSPoffice@aatsp.org; Web site: http://www.aatsp.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A