Study Abroad, Previous Language Experience, and Spanish L2 Development

Abstract

This study investigates second language (L2) development of Spanish verbal morphology, subject omissions, and subject-verb (SV) inversions by learners in two different proficiency levels and learning contexts. Oral narratives from 40 L2 learners at the intermediate and advanced levels, both at home and in a study abroad (SA) program, were examined for these three properties of Spanish. Results from the data analysis indicate that learners at different proficiency levels do not show the same pattern of development for each of the properties being examined after an SA experience. While verb agreement morphology can be learned with only classroom instruction, omissions of thematic subjects are improved through SA at both the intermediate and the advanced levels. Finally, only advanced learners produce SV inversions after studying abroad. With respect to the results, exposure to high-input frequencies (such as those that might be available from an SA experience) as well as the higher cognitive abilities of advanced learners appear to positively influence the L2 development of these structures.