THE ROLE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND PROFICIENCY AS RELATED TO STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS

Abstract

The object of this brief paper is to discuss the balance between business content and language proficiency in study abroad programs related to business. When blending these three activities, the challenge is to balance each appropriately. If the study abroad experience contains little or no business content, students lose out on the opportunity to learn elements of international business. If the study abroad experience contains little or no language content, students miss out on the cultural integration that is essential for international interactions. And if “study abroad” becomes too loose (i.e. party on the beach) or too rigid (i.e. no different than taking classes back home), students miss the essence of studying in a foreign location. Of course, there are excellent business study abroad programs that are conducted in English (e.g. see Keillor & Emore for the roundtable discussion regarding English language programs). The focus of this paper is the role of foreign language instruction and student proficiency in foreign language, as it relates to business study abroad programs.

Citation

Kelm, O.R. (2003), "THE ROLE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND PROFICIENCY AS RELATED TO STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS", Tomas M. Hult, G. and Lashbrooke, E.C. (Ed.) Study Abroad (Advances in International Marketing, Vol. 13), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 85-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-7979(02)13007-9