A Comparative Study of English Learning Contexts Home and Abroad: ‘Are There Any Communicative Situations?'

Abstract

The purpose of the study is twofold: to compare and contrast English use between Korean ESL speakers studying abroad (SA context) and EFL speakers in intensive-program at home (AH context); and to examine the learner's role assignment as an interlocutor in a communicative partnership. This study examined the participants in two types of English learning situations, SA and AH, in terms of English use patterns in different communicative settings. Based on the data collected mainly through an LCP (Language Contact Profile) questionnaire and participation- observation, the study found that 1) SA students have not found as many communicative situations as they had expected, 2) SA students have more receptive patterns of English use than productive ones, 3) SA students found their position 'reduced' as a communication partner. The study suggests that language learning in an SA context is primarily learner-directed in that learners themselves have to secure opportunities for authentic communication.