From Study Abroad to Education Abroad Language Proficiency, Intercultural Competence, and Diversity

Comprehensive and evidence-based, this book presents the best practices for designing and sustaining study abroad programs to maximize the outcomes and benefits of education abroad for all students. Distilling the history, research, and variations of study abroad programs, Goertler and Schenker provide a clear-eyed analysis of the lessons learned and the common obstacles associated with education abroad. Organized in three parts – the state of education abroad in the US; research on education abroad outcomes; and best practices – Goertler and Schenker demonstrate the benefits of long-term study abroad for the development of advanced language skills and intercultural competence, and the need for diversity in participation. Chapters offer theory-based, practice-proven recommendations to invigorate, innovate, and implement successful study abroad programs that are sustainable and ethically engage with the local community. The authors discuss design features to maximize language proficiency and intercultural competence. Grounded in up-to-date research and theory, the book responds to the challenges associated with long-term education abroad programs and provides recommendations on (re)invigorating long-term programs and diversifying participation in education abroad. From Study Abroad to Education Abroad is vital reading for academics, researchers, and students in the fields of language education and education policy, as well as practitioners, such as language program coordinators and education abroad administrators.

Part 1: Trends and Developments in Education Abroad 1. Introduction 2. Trends in Education Abroad Participation 3. Program Design 4. The Junior Year Abroad 5. Challenges to Education Abroad 6. Outlook Part 2: Goals and Outcomes of Education Abroad 1. Introduction 2. Language Learning Outcomes 3. Intercultural Competence and Global Citizenship 4. Academic, Professional, and Personal Development 5. Impact on Communities and Institutions Part 3: Best Practices in Education Abroad 1. Maximizing Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Education Abroad 2. Maximizing Language Learning 3. Maximizing the Development of Intercultural Competence 4. Maximizing Program Design 5. Invigorating the Junior Year Abroad: Sustainability and Adaptability

Senta Goertler is Director of the German Basic Languages Program and Associate Professor of Second Language Studies and German at Michigan State University, USA. Theresa Schenker is the Language Program Director and Senior Lector II of German at Yale University, USA.