The homestay experience for short study abroad programme students : bridging the cultural and linguistic divide

While there is a lot of interest in the linguistic gains made by students on short study abroad programmes in, for example, increased TOEIC or TOEFL scores, the question of how participants’ linguistic confidence can be improved is not mentioned as often. A lack of confidence and shyness are issues that Japanese students need to deal with, not only on such progammes, but also in the domestic Japanese English language classroom. It is in addressing this problem that the homestay experience can play a vital role. As this study demonstrates, students seem to feel more comfortable expressing themselves in the safe and intimate surroundings of the homestay, as opposed to the classroom setting, where they may be more reticent. The findings of this study, reinforced by the reactions of the homestay parents, suggest that, for Japanese students at least, the homestay should not only be encouraged, but may be even more beneficial than the actual classroom work, especially in terms of helping students to find their voice.