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Article published In: Language learning and interactional experiences in Study Abroad settings
Edited by M. Rafael Salaberry, Kate White and Alfred Rue Burch
[Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education 4:1] 2019
► pp. 96–125

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Variables affecting the maintenance of L2 proficiency and fluency four years post-study abroad

 | University of South Florida
 | University of South Florida
 | University of South Florida
 | University of South Florida
Published online: 28 February 2019
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https://doi.org/10.1075/sar.17015.hue
Abstract
This study explored the attrition / maintenance of second language (L2) proficiency by examining longitudinally the oral skills of a group of L2 French and L2 Spanish participants (n = 33) four years after study abroad, and three years after completing an undergraduate degree in languages. Multiple regressions were conducted to determine the extent to which language contact / use and attained proficiency at the end of study abroad could predict changes in fluency and oral proficiency. Results demonstrated that those variables that improved significantly during study abroad (e.g., speech rate) were maintained four years later. The amount of target language contact / use played a role in maintenance of aspects of fluency such as speech rate and frequency of silent pauses, whereas proficiency attained at the end of study abroad played a role in the use of corrections. Both language contact / use and proficiency attained are important variables in the long-term maintenance of overall proficiency.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Effect of study abroad on linguistic gains in the short- and long-term
    • 1.2Foreign language attrition
    • 1.3The current study
  • 2.Methods
    • 2.1Participants
    • 2.2Project timeline
    • 2.3Materials and procedures
      • 2.3.1Oral production data
      • 2.3.2Proficiency data: Elicited imitation test (EIT)
      • 2.3.3Language contact data
    • 2.4Data coding and analysis
  • 3.Results
  • 4.Discussion
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (52)
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