Attitudes and perceptions of exchange students towards the use of English as a Lingua Franca : a case study on Université catholique de Louvain and Trinity College Dublin exchange students

Details

Supervisors

De Cock, Sylvie

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en communication multilingue

Abstract

enExchange students constitute a particular group given that they come from different horizons and that they find themselves immersed into a generally unfamiliar environment. They are led to adjust to a new culture and a new lifestyle. Due to contact with the local population or other expats, adaptation in terms of communication may also occur. They experience communication in a setting composed of individuals with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In such situations, English, owing to its widespread knowledge around the world, becomes the bridge between people. English is thus referred to as a ‘lingua franca’ or, in other words, as a means of communication between speakers of different mother tongues. This dissertation seeks to meet three objectives. Firstly, the study aims to provide indications about the way exchange students use and perceive English. Secondly, the paper gives an overview regarding the accommodation strategies that these students employ to optimise communication and the appreciation they assign to these adjustment mechanisms. Finally, the research brings to light the role played by English in the exchange students’ social integration. The basis of this research comes from a questionnaire submitted to more than one hundred exchange students and face-to-face interviews. The study focuses on incoming exchange students from Université catholique de Louvain and Trinity College Dublin.