Keywords

challenges in Japanese study abroad immersion, individual variables shaping study abroad outcomes, program interventions supporting learners

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to describe some of the challenges of getting learners to immerse themselves in Japanese through study abroad and other experiences. In it, I will write about problems that learners in my own research have encountered during study abroad. I will also give some specific suggestions for helping learners overcome these challenges. Those interested in reading further about my own research and the work of others I have drawn upon can see the list of references at the end of this paper.

Study abroad is considered one of the best ways to learn another language. There are often impressive benefits to living and studying in another country. Yet there are no guarantees of success, and there are certainly some ingredients that will facilitate learning more than others. To illustrate what can happen during study abroad and the role that various ingredients can play, I will introduce three students who encountered vastly different experiences while in Japan: Allen, Daniel and Haden (I am not using their real names to protect their identities). After I introduce these three students, I will write about individual variables that can contribute to one’s learning in a variety of ways. I will also write about program interventions and their influence on learners’ experiences.

Original Publication Citation

Dewey, D. P. (2015, April). Immersion during study abroad: What does it mean? Keynote Address, Conference of the Central Association of Teachers of Japanese, Findley College, Findley, OH.