Measuring EFL learners' environment: English contact and use outside the classroom at a Japanese international university

The primary purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the amount of language contact English as a foreign language (EFL) learners have outside the classroom at a Japanese international university.This study also aimed to examine the Japanese international university setting to discern to what extent, if at all, the surroundings play a role in facilitating language use and interaction outside of the classroom.Finally, the researchers were interested in determining if there is a difference in the amount of English interaction that students living on campus have as opposed to students living off campus.Quantitative and qualitative data was collected using a language contact profile.Analyses revealed that students do find opportunities to use English outside of the classroom on campus.Not surprisingly, students living on campus seemed to benefit from the environment more than their off-campus counterparts in terms of reported language contact and use.