L2 learners’ use of communication strategies as affected by the task type

Abstract

This study examines the possible effects of the task type on Spanish L2 learners’ strategic communication in face-to-face interactions with other learners and native speakers (NSs) of Spanish. Data was elicited from 36 interactions between Spanish L2 learners and native speakers of Spanish when carrying out two tasks, a jigsaw and a free-conversation activity. The data collection involved video and audio recording, observation of participants’ interactions and stimulated recall methodology. The spoken data was analysed based on Dӧrnyei and Kӧrmos’ taxonomy (1998) and the interactional CSs from Dӧrnyei and Scott's (1997). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to determine a possible association between CS use and the task factor as well as to identify the task effects. Findings show that there is an association between the task type and the learners’ use of CSs particularly influenced by the jigsaw. It seems that the task focus influences the use of certain CSs in order to fulfil the demands of each task. It was observed that the linguistic demands of the jigsaw and the cognitive demands of the free-conversation affected more the learners’ use of specific CSs.