World language requirements for study abroad: impact on student intention and participation

The research in this study addresses the connections between world language requirements for education abroad and student interest and motivation. It seeks to answer the question of what impact these and campus culture factors have on student participation in study abroad and world language interest. The research questions that guide this study include: what is the impact of world language requirements on liberal arts college students’ interest and decision-making for study abroad? and what institutional policies, cultures, and practices shape undergraduate students’ interest and motivation in study abroad, in the context of liberal arts colleges? The research methods include a recruitment survey that required students to indicate their interest in world language study and understanding of campus policy. From this survey, fifteen interview participants were selected for an hour-long interview that discussed the individual's perspective on world language study, world language as a prerequisite for study abroad, and interest and motivation around world language study. Participants were recruited from four private liberal arts institutions in the USA that had existing world language prerequisites for study abroad participation. Through a thematic analysis approach, the researcher identified four themes that addressed the research questions. These include concerns around academic planning, updated motivations for world language study, a lack of issue with language prerequisites, and an assessment on world language instruction. Recommendations include developing more flexibility and collaboration with world language courses, keeping language requirements but explaining them better and creating pathways for exceptions, and exploring the current motivations of students to enhance interest in world language study prior to study abroad.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Gallant, Darren Richard

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kang, Hyun-Sook
• Oh, Eunjung Grace
• Witt, Allison
• Moton, Theopolies

• Education Abroad
• World Language
• Study Abroad
• International Education
• Motivation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Darren R. Gallant

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127159

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F127159