L2 development during study abroad in China. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Jeongwoon; Dewey, Dan P.; Baker-Smemoe, Wendy; Ring, Spencer; Westover, Andrew; Eggett, Dennis L.
• Is Part Of: System. Volume 55(2016)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Fluency -- Vocabulary -- Tonal accuracy -- Task fulfillment -- Study abroad -- Chinese second language acquisition -- Tones -- SOPI (Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview); Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Langage et langues -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 407
• DOI: 10.1016/j.system.2015.10.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0346-251X

Abstract

Abstract: This study analyzed L2 Chinese development in regards to fluency, tonal accuracy, vocabulary acquisition, and task fulfillment during a study abroad (SA) program in China. Tonal accuracy has not been investigated in previous SA research, which has focused largely on non-tonal languages. Furthermore, task fulfillment, a metric linked to L2 proficiency and linguistic ability has not been included in previous SA research either. Twenty-two L2 learners of Chinese completed Simulated Oral Proficiency Interviews (SOPIs) before and after SA. These SOPI recordings were analyzed for a series of fluency measures (speech rate, filled pauses, unfilled pauses, and mean pause length), tonal accuracy percentages, type-token ratios, and task fulfillment. Mixed linear model analyses of these repeated measures showed that, when compared to participants' pre-test scores, their post-test scores showed significant improvement for tonal accuracy, vocabulary development, and task fulfillment as well as for all measures of fluency, showing a faster speech rate and shorter pauses.