Study Protocol: STarting AGe and Extramural English: Learning English in and Outside of School in Norway and Flanders (STAGE)

Authors

  • Pia Sundqvist

    Department of Teacher Education and School Research, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway
  • Elke Peters

    Department of Linguistics, KU Leuven, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
  • Gustaf B. Skar

    Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7012 Trondheim, Norway
  • Henrik Gyllstad

    Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10412
Received: 9 June 2025 | Revised: 23 June 2025 | Accepted: 27 June 2025 | Published Online: 13 August 2025

Abstract

This Study Protocol article outlines the aims, theory, and methodology of a 4-year project that primarily seeks to enhance our understanding of the role of starting age and Extramural English. The project unravels the language proficiency of individuals studying English as a foreign or second language (L2) who encounter substantial exposure to English outside school (extramural English, EE), but begin formal English instruction at varying ages. The focus is on two regions: Norway, where formal English education commences early (grade 1, ages 6–7), and Flanders, where it begins later (grades 7 or 8, ages12–14). The overarching project aim is to evaluate whether an early introduction to formal English instruction influences learners'language proficiency and development within contexts abundant in EE exposure, hence the chosen regions. The article is structured into four sections. First, the introduction presents the main objective, provides a theoretical background and previous research, and ends by suggesting that the project will make a substantial and innovative contribution to theories of L2 proficiency, and also contribute with scientific knowledge that will have societal impact. The second section provides an account of the research questions and our predictions, the material and methods, and the measures connected with each of the five research questions that guide the project. Section three offers a discussion that addresses the cross-sectional design and sample size (aim: N = 900), as well as potential limitations. Section four addresses ethics and project dissemination.The article ends with information about funding and acknowledgments.

Keywords:

Beliefs; EFL; Extramural English; Informal Language Learning; L2 English; Vocabulary Knowledge; Speaking; Starting Age

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How to Cite

Sundqvist, P., Peters, E., Skar, G. B., & Gyllstad, H. (2025). Study Protocol: STarting AGe and Extramural English: Learning English in and Outside of School in Norway and Flanders (STAGE). Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(8), 793–809. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10412

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 8 (August 2025): In progress

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Copyright © 2025 Pia Sundqvist, Elke Peters, Gustaf B. Skar, Henrik Gyllstad

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