Examining the role of learning context and individual differences in gains in L2 writing performance: the case of teenagers on an intensive study-abroad programme. Issue 2 (15th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Llanes, Àngels; Tragant, Elsa; Serrano, Raquel
• Is Part Of: Language learning journal. Volume 46:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 201
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2018-03-15
• Subjects: study abroad -- age -- individual differences -- teenagers -- second language acquisition; Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 418.0071
• DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2015.1020332
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-1736

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present study examines the effects that a 3-week study-abroad (SA) experience and a set of individual differences have on the foreign language (FL) development of a group of 64 Catalan/Spanish speakers, learners of English as an FL. Moreover, the present study attempts to account for the outcome differences between successful and less successful FL learners. Results suggest that short SA experiences are beneficial for the FL development, that certain individual differences such as motivation and FL use in free time (among others) play a role, and that the successful and less successful learners' SA experience differed in several aspects that could explain the differences in their outcome.