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English as a lingua franca, multilingualism, and social networks in study abroad : narrative case studies of Japanese students in Thailand

Author:
Kimura, Daisuke
Published:
[University Park, Pennsylvania] : Pennsylvania State University, 2018.
Physical Description:
1 electronic document
Additional Creators:
Canagarajah, A. Suresh
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Restrictions on Access:
Open Access.
Summary:
English as a lingua franca (ELF) scholars have examined the role of English in diverse higher education contexts across the globe. However, in the interest of unravelling ELF users preexisting competencies, research has rarely considered study abroad (SA) in non-Anglophone countries as a context for language learning. Conceivably, such contexts hold great promise in providing participants with opportunities to cultivate skills and dispositions for dealing with linguacultural diversity in ELF-mediated encounters. To explore this emerging phenomenon, this dissertation presents narrative case studies of three Japanese exchange students in Thailand whose rationales for SA involved the learning of English. As one of the first inquiries into ELF use/learning in non-Anglophone SA contexts, the study draws profoundly from recent SA scholarship, devoting special attention to the participants evolving social networks and communication practices. Overall, findings of the study suggest the highly contingent and variable nature of the SA experience, mediated through participants subject positions, social relationships, histories, and future aspirations, as well as varying degrees of investment in different social practices and groups. The study provides useful insights to the scholarly fields of ELF and SA in the context of contemporary globalization where multilingualism with ELF is emerging as a norm for those who traverse the world. Beyond scholarly discussions, findings of the study will also be of interest to various stakeholders, including administrators of English-medium programs, educators, researchers, and policymakers, who are looking to design SA programs that provide sojourners with opportunities to develop competencies as multilingual users of ELF.
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Dissertation Note:
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University 2018.
Reproduction Note:
Microfilm (positive). 1 reel ; 35 mm. (University Microfilms 28281139)
Technical Details:
The full text of the dissertation is available as an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file ; Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view the file.
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