Five Ways to Encourage Language Learning During Study Abroad
Empowering students to learn world languages early on will undoubtedly increase the number of students who choose to study abroad during college. At the same time, study abroad is still the most valuable opportunity that today’s students have to advance their language skills; so it is imperative that, as study abroad professionals, we maximize our student’s abilities to engage with a new language.
While only 10 percent of today’s U.S. college students study abroad, we must support these students with the tools they need to use languages while abroad — and ultimately, to build lasting relationships across cultures and to return to the U.S. as future leaders.
Here are five ways we can advance language learning before, during, and after the study abroad experience:
BEFORE STUDY ABROAD
Identify Language Resources in the Community
Every effort should be made to connect students with introductory language courses, especially considering that colleges and universities cannot offer every language that students will encounter in the countries where they study abroad. From community language classes to podcasts, every student should be equipped to start learning the language before they ever board a plane. Consider offering a language certificate as part of their study abroad program for language study completed prior to studying abroad.
DURING STUDY ABROAD
Encourage Living With Host Families
Living with a local family is one of the most significant ways students can advance their proficiency and immerse themselves in new culture. While living with host families is not always possible on every study abroad program, make this option a priority for students aspiring to use their language overseas. By partnering with local organizations, study abroad programs can connect with families willing to share their language and culture and encourage students to speak in the target language.
Connect Students With Local Language Partners
Language partners are critical to help students to improve their language skills and gain a more nuanced understanding of the local culture. Find locals with a background in language tutoring who would be willing to serve as language partners to study abroad students. See if there are Peace Corps, aspiring ESL teachers at local schools, or other groups in the area that might provide support or a network. Set a requirement for the number of hours per week that students meet with their language partners, but leave the activities up to the pair: visiting a local market, exploring a new neighborhood, or spending time with their language partner’s family or friends are all ways students can learn to use their new language in real-time.
Create Local Engagement Opportunities
While many of today’s study abroad programs offer cultural experiences, require study abroad students to volunteer individually in the local community — so they can really immerse themselves in the culture. Ensure the volunteer experience (like soup kitchens, community clean-ups, or nursing homes) allows students to utilize their budding language skills and to contribute to a local cause. Not only will students’ language and cultural understanding improve, serving in the host community can create valuable people-to-people ties that are so important for the United States’ relationship with countries around the world.
AFTER STUDY ABROAD
Offer Opportunities To Continue Using Language
Too often, students learn a language while studying abroad and return to the U.S., unsure of how to use their newly-developed languages skills. Prepare students to use their language in the post-study abroad experience before they return home. Share free online language resources like Duolingo or iTalki, compile a list of local language courses, clubs, movies or TV stations available to watch on campus, as well as suggest ways students use their language in the community with either heritage diasporas, dual-language immersion schools, or internationally-minded organizations. We have a few ideas to get you started.
How are you preparing your students to use language during study abroad? Share stories of students utilizing languages with us. Use the #languagematters hashtag to join the conversation or tag us at @AC_Global on Twitter.
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