Developing the use of formulaic language for study abroad: a targeted instructional intervention

Halenko, Nicola orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-9906-6418 and Wang, Jiayi orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-2720-8218 (2022) Developing the use of formulaic language for study abroad: a targeted instructional intervention. The Language Learning Journal . ISSN 0957-1736

[thumbnail of AAM]
Preview
PDF (AAM) - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

538kB

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2022.2088446

Abstract

This study investigates the immediate and sustained effects of a pre-departure study abroad training on the oral production of L2 Chinese formulaic language across a range of social and transactional interactions. Eighteen upper-intermediate learners of Chinese were assigned to either an instructed or non-instructed group to determine the efficacy of instruction designed to enhance their study abroad year in China and beyond. A three-stage pre-post-delayed longitudinal experimental design was adopted to examine instructional effects over an academic year, elicited by means of a computerised oral task (COT). The assessment was based on quantitative appropriateness ratings and a qualitative analysis of the output. Results show that the instructed group outperformed the control group immediately after the pre-study abroad (pre-SA) instruction, as well as after the year abroad. The significant difference between the two groups, however, decreased after the period abroad as the control group also showed significant improvement without the pre-SA instruction. Nevertheless, the sustained effect of the instruction enabled the experimental group to retain their competitive edge, even after a year in the target language country. The findings demonstrate the longitudinal benefits of pre-SA instruction.


Repository Staff Only: item control page