Assessing the use of self–regulatory oral communication strategies by Polish learners of Spanish: The feasibility of adapting the OCSI

Abstract

Language learning strategies (LLS) have evolved from a research construct approached mostly from a functional perspective to one which is investigated in specific contexts of particular skills, subsystems, and types of learners. Moreover, LLS use has been linked to self-regulated learning. From this angle, language learners may be approached as individuals resorting to various ways of enhancing their performance across macro- and micro-skills. Among them, oral communication strategies (OCS) are essential because they directly affect the effectiveness of interaction and, consequently, determine how much the learners themselves may benefit from it in terms of progress. Among inventories developed to assess the use of OCS, the Oral Communication Strategy Inventory (OCSI, Nakatani, 2006) is particularly appealing. First, it was developed on a basis of two consecutive studies, one of which was based on insights from a large sample of learners. Second, its scales were distinguished by means of robust factor analysis. For these reasons, it has been used in studies into foreign language learners’ use of OCS (e.g., Pawlak, 2015, 2018). This notwithstanding, apart from the investigation by Yaman and Kavasoğlu (2013), no studies relying on the OCSI (Nakatani, 2006) discuss its adaptability to local conditions in terms of its fulfilment of goodness criteria for psychometric tests. Attempting to bridge this gap in research, the present paper considers the feasibility of adapting the OCSI to assess OCS use by Polish learners of Spanish in extended curriculum settings. Overall, the results of the study show that after some minor adjustments, the inventory may be used as a reliable and valid instrument.