Book Review: Social and Cultural Aspects of Language Learning in Study Abroad

Abstract

This paper reviews Social and Cultural Aspects of Language Learning in Study Abroad, edited by Celeste Kinginger (2013). This collection of papers showcases modern study abroad research, particularly what Coleman describes as the "whole-person" approach, in which study abroad participants are studied as complex individuals rather than as members of a larger homogenous group of students studying abroad. While there is a slight focus on both American study abroad participants and on learners of French studying in France, despite Kinginger and Coleman advocating for including a broader range of participant home countries and languages studied in the volume's introductory chapters, the contributing authors employ a variety of methodologies to study their participants' experiences and their language learning. This methodological breadth demonstrates the modern strengths of Study Abroad Research while simultaneously showing the myriad of future possibilities for future research in the field.