University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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

Gallant, Darren Richard

Content Files
GALLANT-DISSERTATION-2024.pdf

Permalink

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

Description

Title
World language requirements for study abroad: impact on student intention and participation
Author(s)
Gallant, Darren Richard
Issue Date
2024-11-21
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Kang, Hyun-Sook
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Kang, Hyun-Sook
Committee Member(s)
  • Oh, Eunjung Grace
  • Witt, Allison
  • Moton, Theopolies
Department of Study
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Discipline
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • education abroad
  • world language
  • study abroad
  • international education
  • motivation
Abstract
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.
Graduation Semester
2024-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127159
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2024 Darren R. Gallant

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois