Of self-effi cacy, overcoming linguistic barriers and gender: Lessons from University of Ghana female students studying abroad in Spain.

Study abroad programs offer significant benefits to foreign language learners, including improved language proficiency and cultural immersion. However, limited research has focused on female learners’ self-efficacy in overcoming linguistic barriers and integrating their personal identities in the ho...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Legon Journal of the Humanities Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 140 - 167
Autor principal: Novieto, Setor Donné
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Pluto Journals 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=190289503&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: hlh
    uiTerm: 190289503
    longDbName: Humanities International Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        08550050
        TD2
      jtl: Legon Journal of the Humanities
      issn: 08550050
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: 2025
      vid: 36
      iid: 2
      pid: 67187
      pub: Pluto Journals
    artinfo:
      ui:
        190289503
        10.4314/ljh.v36i2.5
      ppf: 140
      ppct: 27
      formats:
        fmt:
          @attributes:
            type: P
            size: 8.2MB
      tig:
        atl: Of self-effi cacy, overcoming linguistic barriers and gender: Lessons from University of Ghana female students studying abroad in Spain.
      aug:
        au: Novieto, Setor Donné
        affil: Lecturer Department of Modern Languages University of Ghana.
      su:
        Self-efficacy
        Language & languages
        Linguistics
      sug:
        subj:
          Self-efficacy
          Language & languages
          Linguistics
      keyword:
        gender
        linguistic barriers
        mentoring
        self-efficacy
        study abroad
      ab: Study abroad programs offer significant benefits to foreign language learners, including improved language proficiency and cultural immersion. However, limited research has focused on female learners’ self-efficacy in overcoming linguistic barriers and integrating their personal identities in the host country. This study explores the experiences of female Spanish students from the University of Ghana who participated in a year-long study-abroad program in Spain. Their experiences are crucial because gender-related challenges and cultural influences often affect academic progress, social interactions, and linguistic development. This study examines how these students navigated language barriers and developed intercultural understanding during their stay. Data were collected through anonymous online surveys and WhatsApp messages, which offered qualitative insights into their personal experiences and coping strategies. The findings showed that many students initially struggled with self-efficacy and identity acceptance due to inadequate pre-departure orientation and language difficulties upon arrival. As they acclimatized, their self-efficacy improved, emphasizing the need for targeted support. Gender and cultural dynamics significantly shaped the learning and adaptation processes. This study underscores the importance of comprehensive mentoring programs before and during study-abroad experiences to support female students. Such initiatives can enhance foreign language learning, sociocultural development, and intercultural awareness, thus maximizing the benefits of studying abroad for female learners.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
    refInfo:
    copyright:
      @attributes:
        flag: Y
      custom: Copyright of Legon Journal of the Humanities is the property of Pluto Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
      item: Legon Journal of the Humanities
      holder: Pluto Journals
      dt:
        @attributes:
          year: 2025
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N