the lived experiences of christian missionaries who need to learn a foreign language to fulfill

143 Pages·2016·0.87 MB·English

THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES WHO NEED TO LEARN A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO FULFILL A CALL TO SERVE IN IMMERSED SETTINGS:
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

by
Stephanie Lynn Blankenship
Liberty University

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

Liberty University
2016
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THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES WHO NEED TO LEARN A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO FULFILL A CALL TO SERVE IN IMMERSED SETTINGS:
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
by Stephanie Lynn Blankenship

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
2016

APPROVED BY:

Jennifer Rathmell, Ed.D., Committee Chair

Gail Collins, Ed.D., Committee Member

David Towles, Ed.D., Committee Member

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of
Christian missionaries living immersed cross-culturally who need to learn a foreign language in
order to fulfill a Christian vocational calling. The theories guiding this study were Vygotsky’s
(1978) sociocultural theory and Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory as pertains to the social
aspects and interactions of immersion in second language acquisition. This study was important
in offering support and guidance in the ongoing understanding of second language acquisition, in
particular to individuals who have answered the Christian call to missions (Dixon et al., 2012;
Price, 2013). This study utilized a qualitative transcendental phenomenological design and
purposeful convenience sampling of participants who are living immersed globally. The central
question guiding this research was: What are the experiences of Christians living in an immersed
setting in a foreign country who need to learn a foreign language in order to fulfill a Christian
calling? Data collection occurred via open-ended questionnaires, online discussion forums, and
personal semi-structured interviews. Analysis of data followed the transcendental
phenomenological analysis format by Moustakas (1994). The information collected described
the experiences Christian missionaries encountered living immersed who need to learn a foreign
language to fulfill a call to serve.
Keywords: second language acquisition, service learning, study abroad, Christian calling,

missionaries, foreign language

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Copyright Page
© 2016, Stephanie Lynn Blankenship

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Dedication

This paper is dedicated to my precious family: Mark, Hailee, Morgan, and Marshall.
The countless ways you have supported me during this journey have imprinted on my heart.
Your small acts of kindness, love, humor, and encouragement have carried me through
these pages. Hailee, Morgan, and Marshall- It is my greatest honor to be your mother. I
hope you have learned by my example the life lessons of persistence, dedication, and
relying on God for strength and wisdom. You are all my greatest treasures here on this
Earth.
To my mother and father, your emphasis on education throughout my life started
this journey. Thank you for instilling this passion in me. Mom, you always pushed
education and I know you had no idea I would take it this far. Dad, I cannot wait to share
with you all about this journey; but in the meantime, enjoy heaven until I get there to tell
you.

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Acknowledgments

I want to offer acknowledgement to some instrumental people in this process.
To my amazing Chair: Dr. Jennifer Rathmell, Thanks for pouring into me with your
wisdom and patience during this research. You have helped grow me in more ways than
you will know academically and spiritually by your leadership. To my wonderful
committee: Dr. Gail Collins and Dr. David Towles. Dr. Collins, Thank you for guiding me
through this process and sharing your methods expertise that have helped shape this
research. Dr. Towles, Thank you for your suggestions, continued encouragement, and
prayers; you are one of kind. There simply will never be enough words to express my
gratitude to you-ever.
To my countless colleagues and friends who have offered words of encouragement, texts,
and prayers, thank you. Your words were not lost on me and will forever hold a place in my
heart. Dr. Lucinda Spaulding, your ability to offer wisdom and advice in the right moments was
always like a calm in the storm. Thank you for those moments.
To my co-researchers, your words and stories have forever changed me. You are
doing amazing work and I thank you for giving of your time to share your experiences with
me. I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you as you continue in your specific
journeys.
Finally, to my heavenly father God, thank you for loving me, guiding me, and
giving me strength and wisdom throughout this process. Thank you for giving me the
privilege of examining the stories of these Christian missionaries. These pages and their
stories have blessed me in ways I never imagined.

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Table of Contents

ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................3
Copyright Page.................................................................................................................................4
Dedication ........................................................................................................................................5
Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................6
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................12
List of Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................13
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................14
Overview ............................................................................................................................14
Background ........................................................................................................................14
Situation to Self..................................................................................................................18
Problem Statement .............................................................................................................20
Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................21
Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................22
Research Questions ............................................................................................................23
Research Plan .....................................................................................................................25
Delimitations ......................................................................................................................25
Definitions..........................................................................................................................26
Summary ............................................................................................................................27
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................28
Overview ............................................................................................................................28
Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................29
Socio-Cultural Theory ...........................................................................................29

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Social Cognitive Theory ........................................................................................33
Related Literature...............................................................................................................35
Christian Missionaries and History of Missions ....................................................35
Mission Challenges and Missionary Characteristics .............................................39
Second Language Acquisition ...............................................................................42
Study Abroad .........................................................................................................45
Service Learning ....................................................................................................52
Christian Calling ....................................................................................................55
Summary ............................................................................................................................58
CHAPTER THREE: METHODS ..................................................................................................61
Overview ............................................................................................................................61
Design ................................................................................................................................61
Research Questions ............................................................................................................63
Setting ................................................................................................................................63
Participants .........................................................................................................................63
Procedures ..........................................................................................................................64
Expert Review of Data Collection Instruments .....................................................65
Pilot Study ..............................................................................................................65
The Researcher's Role ........................................................................................................66
Data Collection ..................................................................................................................66
Open-ended Questionnaire.....................................................................................67
Online Discussion Forum ......................................................................................69
Interviews ...............................................................................................................71

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Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................73
Trustworthiness ..................................................................................................................74
Credibility ..............................................................................................................75
Transferability ........................................................................................................76
Dependability .........................................................................................................76
Confirmability ........................................................................................................77
Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................................77
Summary ............................................................................................................................78
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS .....................................................................................................79
Overview ............................................................................................................................79
Participants .........................................................................................................................79
Elena ......................................................................................................................80
Amelia ....................................................................................................................80
Rebecca ..................................................................................................................80
Luke .......................................................................................................................81
Max ........................................................................................................................81
Carly .......................................................................................................................82
Olivia......................................................................................................................82
Chloe ......................................................................................................................82
Jason .......................................................................................................................83
Michael ..................................................................................................................83
Results ................................................................................................................................83
Research Question One ..........................................................................................84

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Research Question Two .........................................................................................93
Research Question Three .......................................................................................98
Research Question Four .......................................................................................104
Summary ..........................................................................................................................110
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS ...........................................................................................112
Overview ..........................................................................................................................112
Summary of Findings .......................................................................................................112
Discussion ........................................................................................................................113
Implications......................................................................................................................119
Christian Missionaries .........................................................................................119
Mission Organizations .........................................................................................120
Christian Institutions of Higher Learning ............................................................121
Limitations .......................................................................................................................121
Recommendations for Future Research ...........................................................................122
Summary ..........................................................................................................................123
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................125
APPENDIX A. IRB Approval Letter...........................................................................................133
APPENDIX B. Recruitment Letter .............................................................................................134
APPENDIX C. Consent Form ....................................................................................................135
APPENDIX D. Reflective Journal ..............................................................................................138
APPENDIX E. Open-Ended Questionnaire ................................................................................139
APPENDIX F. Online Discussion Forum Prompts ....................................................................140
APPENDIX G. Semi-Structured Interview Questions ...............................................................141

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