Linguistic and Socio-Cultural Outcomes of the "Au Pair" Experience in the United Kingdom

Autor/in	Nagy, Borbala Cecilia
Titel	Linguistic and Socio-Cultural Outcomes of the "Au Pair" Experience in the United Kingdom
Quelle	In: Language and Intercultural Communication, 8 (2008) 3, S.172-191 (20 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1470-8477
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Native Speakers; English (Second Language); Language Proficiency; Exchange Programs; Child Care; Cultural Awareness; Undergraduate Students; Student Attitudes; Measures (Individuals); Language Fluency; Second Language Learning; Interpersonal Relationship; Family Environment; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Muttersprachler; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Language skill; Language skills; Sprachkompetenz; Exchange programme; Exchange program; Exchange programmes; Austauschprogramm; Kinderfürsorge; Kinderbetreuung; Cultural identity; Kulturelle Identität; Schülerverhalten; Messdaten; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Familienmilieu; Großbritannien
Abstract	It is a widely accepted belief that the best way to master a new language is to live in the country where the language is spoken. For young people, one of the most popular ways of immersing themselves in the host environment is to become an "au pair:" move in with a family and look after their children to get first-hand experience of the culture and become a proficient user of their language. The present study explores 10 Hungarian undergraduates' socio-cultural and linguistic experiences and their perceptions of their "au pair" experiences in the UK as "au pairs." Data were collected by a structured interview and a self-assessment language proficiency scale. Participants reported that after their experience, they overwhelmingly felt that they had achieved their goals: (1) they improved their proficiency, especially their oral production skills by becoming "more fluent" in English; (2) they became independent and this experience helped them "grow up". It has also emerged from their narratives that despite living with native speakers and having positive attitudes towards them and their culture, they found it difficult to establish closer contact with them. (Contains 3 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10