Overcoming vocabulary deficiencies in oral commnication. Training EFL students in the use of circumlocution
Date
2012Author
Advisor
Version
Acceso abierto / Sarbide irekia
Type
Trabajo Fin de Máster/Master Amaierako Lana
Impact
|
nodoi-noplumx
|
Abstract
The present article reports on a study carried out among Spanish students of
English as a Foreign Language that made use of circumlocution and other compensatory
strategies to overcome vocabulary deficiencies in oral communication. The study focuses on the
role of foreign language classroom instruction and the effectiveness of an explicit teaching of
circumlocution to improve learners’ fluenc ...
[++]
The present article reports on a study carried out among Spanish students of
English as a Foreign Language that made use of circumlocution and other compensatory
strategies to overcome vocabulary deficiencies in oral communication. The study focuses on the
role of foreign language classroom instruction and the effectiveness of an explicit teaching of
circumlocution to improve learners’ fluency and ability to face unknown lexical items when
performing speaking activities. Besides, the types of circumlocutions, structures and alternative
strategies are analyzed in order to gain a better understanding of the learning process of
compensatory strategies. According to the results, this kind of strategies proved to be a useful
and effective means of keeping the flow of conversation and coping with problematic vocabulary
but short time and punctual training seems to have little effect on the quality of the
circumlocutions produced or the avoidance of less desirable strategies such as abandonment or
code-switching. From these findings, some pedagogical recommendations can be made with the
aim of improving the teaching of compensatory strategies [--]
Subject
Inglés como lengua extranjera,
Competencia estratégica,
Estrategia compensatoria,
Circunlocución,
Léxico,
English Foreign Language,
Strategic competence,
Compensatory strategies,
Circumlocution,
Lexicon
Degree
Máster Universitario en Profesorado de Educación Secundaria por la Universidad Pública de Navarra /
Bigarren Hezkuntzako Irakasletzako Unibertsitate Masterra Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoan