Detailing L1 and L2 use in study-abroad research: Data from the daily linguistic questionnaire

Abstract

Interest in learners’ language use in the study-abroad (SA) context has increased considerably in the past years. However, the current set of instruments is not fine-grained enough to provide detailed information to SA researchers who are interested in questions regarding the quantity and quality of language use. The present study reports on the results of a new instrument, the Daily Linguistic Questionnaire (DLQ), that was completed daily (via computer or handheld devices) by 43 L2 learners of Spanish (L1 = English) who participated in a six-week SA in Salamanca, Spain. The results show that the SA participants used their L2 substantially more than their L1 during the first half of the program; however, their use of the L2 diminished substantially during the second half of their stay abroad. The results further showed that the decreased rates of L2 use correlated significantly with lifestyle choices, namely, with a decrease in communication with host-family members and with an increase in L1 use with SA peers. Altogether, the DLQ allowed for more nuanced observations of language-use patterns than had been reported in previous SA research. These findings have implications for theories of L2 learning that emphasize the notions of input and interaction.