Out-of-school contact with l2 english across four educational levels

Abstract

This paper analyses the effect of out-of-school contact in the acquisition of L2 English in four groups of students belonging to four different educational levels: Secondary education (n=38), baccalaurate (n=25), state language schools (n= 32) and university (n=18). Differences in the frequency with which the four learner groups engage in different types of out-of-school activities are analysed, i.e, films, games, music, reading, writing and speaking, as well as gender-related differences and the potential influence of the contact with out-of-school activities in their academic achievement in the four skills. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire and their grades in the four skills. Findings indicated significant differences in the frequency of exposure to watching films, playing games, and to reading, writing and speaking across groups. No significant gender-related differences were found within groups. Finally, significant associations were observed between the activities of watching films, listening to music, reading and speaking and their academic achievement.