Graduate Student Perspectives On Linguistic and Cultural Growth In Online Language Courses

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2018

Department

Foreign Languages and Literature

School

Social Science and Global Studies

Abstract

In this study, 64 master's students and program graduates in French, Spanish, and TESOL evaluated their online experiences in two areas in which learning effectiveness is often questioned in online settings: linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge. This study was informed by national data documenting attitudes toward online learning, existing studies of online language learning and a faculty commitment to program review. It used three different data sources, including an anonymous questionnaire with open-ended comments, interviews, and content analysis of final portfolio reflections. The overwhelming majority of questionnaire participants reported improvements in proficiency, cultural knowledge, and cross-cultural awareness. They also reported interacting in the target language with peers and instructors, as well as feeling part of a language learning community. Individual comments from final portfolios, interview data, and the open response section of the questionnaire contextualize and elucidate these findings.

Publication Title

NECTFL Review

Volume

81

First Page

19

Last Page

43

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