What is it about?
A major problem for language teachers is a lack of engagement on the part of their learners. Especially Asian learners are often considered to be reticent. Studies in second language acquisition have convincingly shown that producing the target language and interacting in it contribute to successful language development. It is therefore important to find out why some learners are less likely to participate than others, and ways to encourage them to communicate more. This article reports on a study that identifies barriers to communication and includes implications for language teachers to enhance their teaching by increasing learners' willingness to communicate.
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Why is it important?
It can help identify my some learners do not communicate in language classes
Perspectives
In working with Vatsana Vongsila we investigated an English language class in New Zealand that was largely communicative in focus. Despite this, and the teachers' commitment to authentic communication, it was surprising to us to find that almost no strategies were used to encourage students to communicate more, or to address their lack of willingness to communicate.
Professor Hayo Reinders
Anaheim University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Making Asian Learners Talk: Encouraging Willingness to Communicate, RELC Journal, December 2016, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0033688216645641.
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