Compensation Features for Task Fulfilment in Discussion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v65.2368Keywords:
MUET, compensation features, correction, alteration, discussionsAbstract
The introduction of the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) has sparked the urgency to train pre-university students to communicate effectively and spurred the interest of language researchers to develop speaking skills among students in Malaysia. New methods and strategies are attempted to overcome various communication problems, and ease communication especially in the discussion component of MUET. However, due to its spontaneity, speaking remains the most difficult skill to acquire. This paper presents findings of an ongoing research on compensation features for task fulfilment in discussions. It discusses instances of how compensation features, in particular corrections and alterations, are used in discussions. This paper highlights such features as used by pre-university students in discussions which involve self-correction/self-repair, false start, repetition and restructuring/rephrasing.
References
Brown, H. D. 2001. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. 2nd Edition. NY: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
Bygate, M. 1987. Speaking. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Chan, S.H. & Bee, E.W. 2004. Assessing Oral Skills of Pre-Tertiary Students: The Nature of the Communicative Act. http://fllcccu.ccu.edu.tw/conference/2004ch_conferences/achievement/paper01.pdf.
David, M. K. 1999. The Teaching of Communicative Strategies and Intercultural Awareness – Core Components for Effective Communication. The English Teacher. Vol. XXVIII June 1999. http://www.melta.org.my/ET/1999/main7.html
Dörnyei, Z. and Kormos, J. 1998. Problem-solving Mechanisms in L2 Communication: A Psycholinguistic perspective. Studies in Second Language Acquisition. 349–386.
Dörnyei, Z. and Scott, M. L. 1998. Communication Strategies in a Second language: Definition and Taxonomies. Language Learning. 173–210.
Drew, P. 1997. 'Open' Class Repair Initiators in Response to Sequential Sources of Troubles in Conversation. Journal of Pragmatics. 28: 69–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-2166(97)89759-7.
Faerch, C., & Kasper, G. 1983. Plans and Strategies in Foreign Language Communication. In Faerch, C., & Kasper, G. (Eds.), Strategies in Interlanguage Communication. London.
Gilmore, A. 2004. A Comparison of Textbook and Authentic Interactions. http://textbookuse.pbworks.com/f/Textbooks+%26+authentic+interaction.pdf.
Lourdunathan, J. and Menon, S. 2005. Developing Speaking Skills through Interaction Strategy Training. The English Teacher Vol. XXXIV, 1-18. http://www.melta.org.my/ET/2005.
Malaysian Examinations Council. 2006. MUET Test Specifications.
Malaysian Examinations Council. 2009. MUET 800/2(1)M Mid-2009 Booklet 8 MUET Speaking Questions.
Poulisse, N. 1990. The Use of Compensatory Strategies by Dutch Learners of English. Dordrecht: Foris Publications.
Rabab’ah, G., & Bulut, D. 2007. Compensatory strategies in Arabic as a second language. Poznan Studies in Contemporary Linguistics. 43(2): 83–106. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10010-007-0020-5
Rabab’ah, G. 2013. Strategies of Repair in EFL Learners Oral Discourse. English Language Teaching. 6(6). http://www.ccsenet.org/elt.
Tarone, E. 1981. Some Thoughts on the Notion of Communication Strategy. TESOL Quarterly. 15(3): 285–295.
Tarone, E. 1983. Some Thoughts on the Notion of Communication Strategy. In Faerch, C. & Kasper, G. (Eds.), Strategies in Interlanguage Communication. New York: Longman. 61–74.
Thornbury, S. 2005. How to Teach Speaking. England: Pearson Education Limited.
Ting, S. H. and Lau, L. Y. 2008. Lexical and Discourse-Based Communication Strategies of Malaysian ESL Learners. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research. 4: 18–31. http://www.melta.org.my.
Wan Hassan, S. Z. et al. 2009. The Communicative Ability of Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak’s Graduates. http://www.ccsenet.org/journal.html.
Yang, D. and Gai, F.P. 2010. Chinese Learners’ Communication Strategies Research: A Case Study at Shandong Jiaotong University. Cross-Cultural Communication. 6(1): 56–81. http://www.cscanada.net
Zainal, S. H. 2005. Interaction Patterns of Pre-University Students’ Discourse in Managing a Discussion. Master Dissertation. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright of articles that appear in Jurnal Teknologi belongs exclusively to Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Penerbit UTM Press). This copyright covers the rights to reproduce the article, including reprints, electronic reproductions, or any other reproductions of similar nature.
