A study of Spanish students and their sociocultural perceptions

Abstract

A line of intercultural research has been developed in the Department of Applied Linguistics; CELE; UNAM; to study the relationship of culture and language. Long term studies of sociocultural perceptions were carried out with students and teachers of English to explore in depth beliefs about the nature of culture and its relationship to foreign language leaming (Chasan & Ryan; 1995; Chasan; Mallen & Ryan; 1997; and Ryan; 1994; 1996). The results of these studies with English students have led to a study of Spanish students in a rural university in the United States. The purpose of this article is to report on findings of this research in the state of Pennsylvania as well the research leading up to it. Some suggestions for future research are included.