Approaches to studying abroad in Brazil and their effects on language learning and intercultural contact. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diniz, Gabriela Loires; Noels, Kimberly A.
• Is Part Of: System. Volume 97(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Reasons to study abroad -- Brazil -- Social imaginary -- World-system model -- Core-periphery relations; Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Langage et langues -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 407
• DOI: 10.1016/j.system.2020.102443
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0346-251X

Abstract

Abstract: Even though student mobility is increasingly frequent, the predominant direction is mainly from countries considered peripheral to those that have more economic and political representation (Altbach, 2004; OECD, 2015). This study investigated the reasons why students go to Brazil, the composition of their social networks, and their implications for learning Portuguese as a foreign language. This research had a mixed methods longitudinal design, in which 98 participants completed two questionnaires (i.e. in August and November 2016). A thematic analysis of the reasons that participants presented for going to Brazil resulted in three general "approaches": Actors, interested in idiosyncrasies of studying in Brazil; Observers, interested in having an experience abroad; and Riders, who had Brazil as a convenient choice. This classification not only predicted Portuguese language levels, but was related to participants' home countries, supporting an articulation of SA in terms of core-periphery relations (Wallerstein, 2004).