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Title
Advising EFL Students for Study Abroad Programs
Presenter
Dana Lingley
Japan
EFL teachers invariably find themselves in a position to dispense advice to university students wishing to study abroad. However, providing useful and sound advice can prove difficult and time-consuming. There are several factors to consider such as which country to choose, the type of program, the duration, costs and living conditions. All of these factors require reflection on the part of the prospective student as well as the advisor. Furthermore, each of these considerations should be presented in a non-biased and easy-to-understand way to ensure that well-informed decisions are made. It is important to maintain a certain degree of neutrality during the advisory process so as not to impose your own ideals on those you are advising. In many cases a study abroad trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so every effort should be made to ensure it is a valuable and fulfilling experience. The advisory process also presents a valuable opportunity to have students research English language websites and read through literature on the subject.
These types of activities allow students to gain a degree of independence as they plan their trip. The role of the advisor is to provide sound impartial advice and guide the student through the process. In order to successfully advise students in such endeavors it is important to be well aware of the potential problems that might arise. The purpose of this presentation is to give an outline of the ins and outs of advising EFL students who wish to embark on both short and long term study abroad programs at Western universities. A secondary goal will be to explain how the advising process can be a valuable learning experience that can empower students to become more involved in their educational career and hopefully aid in the process of becoming independent learners. Finally, by undertaking an advisory role, instructors will be able to assess the value of such programs by conducting post program interviews with returnees.
Bio
Dana Lingley has been teaching EFL in various contexts in Japan and Mexico for the past 10 years. Currently he is teaching in the Intensive English Support (IES) faculty at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan. His research interests include student motivation, applications of authentic materials, and the educational value of study abroad programs. Currently he is teaching Communicative English II, Reading and Writing II, and Language and Culture.
contact asian_efl_journal@yahoo.com
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