So you want to actually practice a language while studying abroad? Focus on service encounters!

What is it about?

This study features 10 study abroad students in Istanbul who were learning Turkish in a summer program. Although they were all motivated to improve their speaking skills, they primarily socialized with their classmates speaking mostly English. The times when they were able to speak Turkish the most typically occurred in service encounters such as ordering in restaurants, shopping at open-air markets, and riding in taxis. While many of these service interactions were brief and used routine language, some students had interactions of increasing complexity and depth. For example, one student underwent medical procedures throughout the summer that provided numerous opportunities to speak in meaningful interactions. Another student with a professional background in the food industry established close friendships with multiple Turkish restaurant owners and staff. This study provides real-life examples of how service encounters should not be overlooked as mundane, repetitive interactions but highlighted as primary opportunities to practice a new language in meaningful contexts.

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Why is it important?

When learning a new language, speaking is often the skill that is most difficult for learners to practice. Study abroad is one solution, offering learners an intense period of rapid improvement. This improvement, however, is based on the assumption that learners will have many opportunities to speak with lots of different people (not only their teachers). However, research in study abroad shows that this is often not the reality. Even while studying abroad, students can struggle to find opportunities to actually practice speaking the language that they are learning.

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