In general, it seems we can draw the following conclusion from the
recent research into the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence: study
and living abroad has significant benefits for the acquisition of sociolinguistic
competence. Input is important in this context, as is contact with
native speakers. Lowest proficiency learners made the greatest initial
gains. However for greatest effectiveness, it is important for the input to
be modified. Stay abroad periods significantly affect the acquisition of
native speaker variation, a variation ranging from low-level phonological
aspects of language to issues of style and formality. Several studies showed
that a period in the native speech community affects sensitivity to dialect
issues. Related aspects of language use by the learner such as fluency and
use of formulaic phrases are influenced by living abroad. Significantly,
advances made on the acquisition of sociolinguistic skills were reported
from studies which adopted very different research perspectives and
methodologies. Similar evidence and results were found in studies using
very different approaches. The general self-reported improvements by
Canadians was confirmed by empirical data on a specific variable used by
Irish speakers. Both quantitative and qualitative studies concur in finding
that a period abroad affects the acquisition of sociolinguistic competence
in an important way.