ERIC Number: EJ1134679
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0125-2488
EISSN: N/A
Testing University Learners' Interlanguage Pragmatic Competence in a Chinese EFL Context
Xu, Lan; Wannaruk, Anchalee
PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand, v52 p209-235 Jul-Dec 2016
Speech acts are the major concern of interlanguage pragmatists. The present study aimed to 1) examine the reliability and validity of an interlanguage pragmatic (ILP) competence test on speech acts in a Chinese EFL context, and 2) investigate EFL learners' variations of ILP competence by language proficiency. Altogether 390 students participated in the present study. The students were divided into three groups based on their language proficiency. The data were collected with an ILP competence test and semi-structured interviews. The ILP competence test was in the form of a written discourse completion task (WDCT), including ten speech acts and 30 situations. Data analysis methods included the Many Facets Rasch Model (MFRM), one-way ANOVA, post-hoc Scheffe test and content analysis. The results indicated that the ILP competence test was with high reliability and validity, and variations existed in four aspects of conducting speech acts: 1) use of correct speech act, 2) typical expressions, 3) amount of speech and information, and 4) degrees of formality, directness and politeness, according to the level of language proficiency. Overall, the students with higher language proficiency performed better than the ones with lower language proficiency.
Descriptors: Interlanguage, Semi Structured Interviews, Speech Acts, Content Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Language Proficiency, Pragmatics, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Language Tests, Task Analysis, Models, Test Validity, Test Reliability, Majors (Students), Questionnaires, Qualitative Research, College Students
Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.culi.chula.ac.th/Publicationsonline/home_p1.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A