Resistance to L2 Pragmatics in the Australian ESL Context

Abstract

The study examines how learner biases toward a particular national type of English affect interlanguage pragmatics. Specifically, this study assesses the degree to which Korean ESL (English as a second language) students' preferences for North American English influence their willingness to use Australian-English routines while studying in Australia. Research suggests that attitudinal factors in high-proficiency students can affect second language (L2) pragmatic production in important ways, students at times rejecting or resisting undesirable L2 pragmatic forms (Cohen, 1997; Hinkel, 1996; LoCastro, 2001; Siegal, 1995, 1996). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a group of 20 Korean ESL students studying at language institutes and universities around Melbourne. Findings suggest that there is some avoidance of Australian routines by Korean ESL learners and that this avoidance represents resistance to Australian-English pragmatic norms.