Foreign Language Learning in a Specialized Institution: Opportunities and Challenges

Specialized learning institutions (SLIs) feature organizational cultures, learning environments, and Postgraduation expectations that typically differ from traditional 4-year universities. For students pursuing foreign language (FL) study within an SLI, coursework is frequently accompanied by a range of nonacademic tasks that are required for graduation. This exploratory study focuses on one such SLI, a US military academy. Four FL majors (i.e., cadets) completed seven interviews over 4 years of FL study. A narrative inquiry and thematic analyses of cadets' interview responses highlighted both opportunities for and challenges to FL study. Overseas immersions, applicability of FL learning to their future careers, and interactions with foreign cadets positively affected FL development, while increased nonacademic requirements and institution-specific classes greatly limited time for FL study. This report can inform FL instructors at SLIs or SLI-like organizations on how to make appropriate pedagogical decisions to both facilitate FL learning and help maintain FL motivation.