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A taxonomy of the objectives of residence abroad
From the work of the Residence Abroad Project since October 1997, six categories of objectives have emerged. In alphabetical order, they are:
The principal aspects of each are summarised below.
Academic objectives of residence abroad:
- course at L2land university
- defined curriculum
- core + options
- free choice
- dissertation or project
- language work for home institution
- preparation for final year
Cultural objectives of residence abroad:
- insight into way of life, institutions
- can overlap with academic objectives
Intercultural objectives of residence abroad:
- awareness of relativity of cultures - including one’s own
- cognitive and affective: attitudes, living with difference, adaptability, tolerance
- accepting multiplicity of cultures, rejecting ethnocentric view, respecting others’ rights (needs preparation, long training)
- also work-related: able to function in a new linguistic/cultural environment
Linguistic objectives of residence abroad:
- speaking
- listening
- reading
- grammar
- vocabulary
- sociolinguistic (register)
- fluency
- language learning strategies
Personal objectives of residence abroad:
- independence and self-reliance
- confidence
- self-awareness
Professional objectives of residence abroad:
- transferable skills
- self skills (self-awareness, self-discipline, self-motivation)
- objective-setting
- problem-solving
- independent work & team work
- time management
- communication skills
- locating, selecting, structuring information
- written presentation
- oral presentation
- awareness of world of work (CV, letters, national conventions)