ABSTRACT:This research adopted narrative inquiry to understand the effect of two different students’ experiences on their studies in College of Foreign Language of Honghe University. The students in question took part in 2010 Summer Work & Travel project in the United States. After interviewing the two students and knowing their experiences, through analyzing their experiences. The research shows that because of the two students’ different adaptability, confidence and attitude during taking part in the program, their American living experiences were quite different from each other. These different experiences did influence their development. Alice’s experience has a positive impact on her. It improves her English proficiency and makes her more interested in learning English. But Lisa is not the same as Alice. She even feels disappointed about her experience in America.

Therefore, in order to reduce negative impacts and make participants’ acquiring more efficiently, this research gives 5 suggestions: Fully prepared; Self-adjust; Ask for help timely; Keep confidence; Acquire through multiple ways.

Keywords: English learner; living experience; acquiring effect

TABLE OF CONTENTS

摘 要

ABSTRACT

1 INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Background-1

1.2 Significance of This Study-1

1.3 Work & Travel Program-2

2 LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Studies Abroad-3

2.2 Studies Home-3

3 METHODOLOGY-4

3.1 The Participant-4

3.2 Research Questions-4

3.3 Narrative Inquiry-5

3. 4 Data Collection and Analysis-5

4 RESEARCH RESULTS-7

4.1 English Major Students’ Living Landscape in U. S. A.-7

4.1.1 Alice’s living experience in the U.S.A-7

4.1.2 Lisa’s living experience in the U.S.A.-12

4.2 The Effect on Students Implied by Their Living Experience-15

4.2.1 Confidence acquirement-15

4.2.2 Learning attitude-15

4.2.3 Adaptability to foreign situations-16

4.3 The Implication-16

5 CONCLUSION-18

5.1 Findings-18

5.2 Suggestions-18

5.3 Limitation-19

REFERENCES-21

APPENDIX A-22

APPENDIX B-26

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS-32