The European Conference on Language Learning 2014

Brighton, United Kingdom



Official Conference Proceedings

The European Conference on Language Learning 2014

Brighton, United Kingdom



Official Conference Proceedings

The European Conference on Language Learning 2014

Brighton, United Kingdom



Official Conference Proceedings

Studying a foreign language abroad is nowadays a global experiential learning
practice. This article will conceptualise and analyse language tourism taking into
account the underlying principles of language learning mobility. It will also examine
language travel as a transformational experience at different levels. From the point of
view of second language acquisition, the benefits of linguistic immersion are
numerous (Freed, 1998). The development of the learners’ communicative
competence is closely linked to their expectations, motivation and attitudes toward
language learning (Lightbrown & Spada, 1993). Depending on the demographic
characteristics of the language tourists, such as their personality traits, age or
background, their evolution as foreign language learners can affect their selfdetermination
and
the
way
they
perceive
themselves,
as
well
as
their
perspectives
on

education.

This can influence both their future educational and professional success
(Commission of the European Communities, 2009). On the other hand, as the Contact
Hypothesis and its subsequent revisions point out, learners can also benefit from the
experience of being in contact with the host community, since their values and beliefs
may change (Dörnyei & Csizér, 2005). Their new conception of otherness can foster
cultural appreciation and understanding, but the culture shock may also lead to
xenophobia. Therefore, cultural connectivity and personal beingness are strongly
related (Wang, 2010). In this sense, language travel can have fundamental
consequences in terms of social interaction and the construction of individual citizens’
social identity. Similarly, language travellers’ behaviour can have a double-edged
effect on the host societies.

Montserrat Iglesias