Second language classroom discourse : focus on communicative strategies

Abstract EN

This study presents episodes of detected misunderstandings and instances of non communication between a foreign student, and his TESOL teacher during an oral evaluation .

It is a case study which studies the question , "What role do discourse strategies "play in promoting or impeding communication between student and teacher?" The data collection consisted of tape recording the final oral evaluation of a lower-intermediate speaking and listening class .

Analyzing the data shows that the discourse strategies used by the student and the teacher during the evaluation can be categorized into two groups : those that may have promoted communication , and those that may have impeded communication .

This study presents some piece of evidence of these two groups of discourse strategies .

Both the teacher and the student used the following discourse strategies to resolve misunderstanding : (1) Comprehension Checks ; (2) Confirmation Checks , and (3) Clarification Checks .

In addition , the teacher used three major discourse strategies , which led to rniscommunication : (1) Backchanneling '.

(2) Alternative Questions , and (3) An interruption .

In the light of results obtained , conclusions are made , and implications are drawn .