Drawing on Vygotsky's insights on the sociocultural origins of development, we examine the French homestay as a site for learning, with a focus on the dinner table. Based on audio recordings of mealtime interactions, interviews, and field notes, we present two case studies of French language learners and their host families. "Amelia"…

Second language (L2) gains during study abroad have been related to several variables including length of stay (Llanes, 2011), language use (Martinsen, Baker, Dewey, Bown, & Johnson, 2010), and social network development (Isabelli-García, 2006), among others. However, most studies have investigated only a few predictors in single study abroad…

This article reports the findings of an investigation into the impact of study abroad experiences on self-efficacy perceptions among foreign language (FL) learners. Thirty-nine American college students taking part in both short-term and semester-long academic programs in France and Spain completed self-efficacy surveys at the beginning and at the…

In our global economy, it is important to understand all factors influencing successful language learning. A survey of more than 6,000 university students in Canada, Japan, and France revealed differences in language learning beliefs, attitudes, and motivations in the three countries. Learners in Canada and France exhibited primarily instrumental…

The stereotype has it that native French Speakers are annoyed by foreign Speakers' errors in pronunciation. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess beliefs about the importance of accurate pronunciation in French held by three afferent groups: (1) 73 second- and third-semester students of French at a large midwestern research university in…

This study investigates the role of social interaction in language gain among study abroad students in France. Using the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), the Can-Do self-assessment scale (Clark, 1981), a revised version of the Language Contact Profile (LCP; Freed, Dewey, Segalowitz, & Halter, 2001), and pre- and postdeparture…

Suggests that linguistic and cultural aspects of francophone countries other than just France are necessary for a well-rounded perspective of French as a second language spoken over a large geographic area and by a diverse population. This study looks at 12 textbooks and additional language learning materials chosen to represent various authors,…

Findings from a study of the experiences of four American students studying in France challenge many common beliefs about the overseas educational experience, and raise questions that hold implications for both study abroad programs and foreign language classrooms. (Author/VWL)

Given the decline in French majors and enrollments in French junior year study abroad programs, educators have increasingly turned to short-term study abroad for first- and second-year students. These programs can motivate students fulfilling the language requirement, while also internationalizing the curriculum through interdisciplinary and…

Describes a study conducted at Weston (Connecticut) High School of the language skills and attitude changes of a group of students participating in an overseas study program. The goals of the program were to increase participants' understanding and appreciation of another culture, and to provide stimulus for language learning. (Author/CLK)

Focuses on a videoconferencing project that was conducted between an American and a French university. Describes the way that the exchange was set up and run, the types of equipment and materials that were used, the students' activities and assignments, the methods used for evaluating students' work, and the relationship of the project to the…