Negotiation of Meaning Strategies to Improve English Conversations between EFL University Students and a Native Speaker

Abstract

Background and Aims: In English conversations, where interlocutors may have differing language backgrounds or proficiency levels, effective communication relies on employing negotiation of meaning strategies to ensure mutual understanding and clarity. The purpose of this study was to examine the negotiation of meaning strategies used by EFL university students in conversation with a native speaker, highlighting their importance in achieving effective communication and linguistic development. Methodology: Qualitative data were collected through recorded conversations in an academic setting, involving 20 EFL university students and a native speaker and were analyzed using conversation analysis. Results: The study identified the top five negotiations of meaning strategies, with clarification requests and confirmation checks being most prevalent, indicating a strong preference for direct engagement in ensuring mutual understanding. Conclusion: The findings emphasized the importance of incorporating targeted negotiation of meaning exercises into EFL curricula to improve students' communicative competence and cross-cultural understanding.