Journal article
Study abroad experiences in homestay: where complexity, dynamicity, and individuality stay
Applied linguistics review, Vol.16(3), pp.1251-1277
05/26/2025
DOI: 10.1515/applirev-2023-0297
Abstract
Abstract Informed by Complex Dynamic Systems Theory, this study examines the nature of homestay as a situated language learning site, with an eye toward the development of American student guests and Chinese host families’ homestay experiences within the larger context of the study abroad (SA) program and local community. Drawing on data collected from host families and student guests, this study discovers benefits, conflicts, and co-adaptations in homestay; the evolution of host families’ dispositions toward homestay; student guests’ proficiency gains and interactions with hosts and locals; and contextual factors that influence the proficiency gains and interactions. The findings reveal that homestay is a dynamic, self-evolving subsystem, which constantly interacts with other dynamic subsystems, such as the SA program and local community, within the complex social ecosystem of the entire SA environment. This study also provides suggestions for the design and management of the homestay component in the SA program and future research.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Study abroad experiences in homestay: where complexity, dynamicity, and individuality stay
- Creators
- Chuanren Ke - University of IowaYuan Lu - Indiana University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Applied linguistics review, Vol.16(3), pp.1251-1277
- DOI
- 10.1515/applirev-2023-0297
- ISSN
- 1868-6303
- eISSN
- 1868-6311
- Publisher
- WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH
- Grant note
This study is part of a larger research project funded by the HenryLuce Foundation. Project title: Second language acquisition of Chinese: Progresstrajectories and effects of learning context. Principal Investigator (PI): Chuanren Ke.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/10/2024
- Date published
- 05/26/2025
- Academic Unit
- Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures
- Record Identifier
- 9984732542102771
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