This article explores ways to assess interactional performance, and reports on the use of a test format that standardizes the interlocutor’s linguistic and interactional contributions to the exchange. It describes the construction and administration of six scripted speech tasks (instruction-, advice-, and sales tasks) with pre-vocational learners (n=34), and reports on the extent to which these tasks can be used to assess L2 speakers’ interactional performance in a reliable and valid manner. The high agreement found between three independent raters on both holistic- and analytical measurements of interactional performance, indicate that this construct can be measured reliably with these tasks. Means and standard deviations demonstrate that tasks differentiate between speakers’ interactional performance. Holistic ratings of linguistic accuracy and interactional ability correlate highly between tasks that focus on different language functions, and are situated in different interactional domains. Furthermore, positive correlations are found between both holistic and analytic ratings of oral performance and vocabulary size. Positive within-task correlations between analytical ratings of specific interactional strategies and holistic ratings of overall interactional ability show that analytic ratings of Meaning Negotiation and Correcting Misinterpretation provide additional information about speakers’ interactional ability that is not captured by holistic assessment alone. It is concluded that these tasks are a useful diagnostic tool for practitioners to support their learners’ interactional abilities at a sub-skill level.
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Little is known about the effects of different instructional approaches on learner affect in oral interaction in the foreign language classroom. In a randomized experiment with Dutch pre-vocational learners (N = 147), we evaluated the effects of 3 newly developed instructional programs for English as a foreign language (EFL). These programs differed in instructional focus (form-focused vs. interaction strategies- oriented) and type of task (pre-scripted language tasks vs. information gap tasks). Multilevel analyses revealed that learners’ enjoyment of EFL oral interaction was not affected by instruction, that willingness to communicate (WTC) decreased over time, and that self-confidence was positively affected by combining information gap tasks with interactional strategies instruction. In addition, regression analyses revealed that development in learners’ WTC and enjoyment did not have predictive value for achievement in EFL oral interaction, but that development in self-confidence did explain achievement in EFL oral interaction in trained interactional contexts.
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In het herstellen en behouden van zinvolle bezigheden voor mensen met een lichte of matige vorm van van de ziekte van Alzheimer is doelstelling van groot praktisch belang. De studies gericht op dit doel hebben vertrouwd op de verschillende strategieën van zelfmanagement van instruction cues. Zeven studies werden gevonden die plaats hadden in de periode 2008-2012 (dat wil zeggen, de periode waarin onderzoek op dit gebied daadwerkelijk vorm heeft gekregen). Die strategieën bestaan uit het gebruik van (1) verbale signalen aangeboden via audiorecorders, (2) visuele signalen aangeboden via computersystemen, en (3) een combinatie van verbale en visuele signalen gepresenteerd via computersystemen. Dit artikel geeft een overzicht van de hiervoor genoemde strategieën en bespreekt de resultaten daarvan, hun algemene doeltreffendheid, op prestaties en stemmingen, en hun geschiktheid en bruikbaarheid. Thema's voor toekomstig onderzoek werden eveneens onderzocht. ABSTRACT Helping people with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease restore and maintain constructive occupations is an objective of great practical importance. Studies targeting this goal have relied on different strategies for self-management of instruction cues. Seven studies were identified in the period 2008- 2012 (i.e. the period in which research in this area has actually taken shape). These strategies consist of the use of (1) verbal cues presented via audio recording devices, (2) pictorial cues presented via computer-aided systems and (3) combinations of verbal and pictorial cues presented via computer-aided systems. This paper reviews these strategies and discusses their outcomes, their overall effectiveness on performance and mood, and their suitability and practicality. Issues for future research are also examined.
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