The Cinderella of Communication Strategies: Reception Strategies in Interactive Listening

Abstract

Interactive listening plays an important role in language learning. Specifically, the effective use of reception strategies by listeners in interaction can both resolve immediate comprehension problems and facilitate long‐term language learning. This study investigated the types of reception strategies and the frequency of their use by students of French at different levels of language proficiency, measured by an oral proficiency interview as designed by ACTFL/ETS (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Educational Testing Service). A number of distinct strategies were identified. Students with novice‐level proficiency made greater use of kinesics, global reprises, and hypothesis testing in English to clarify meaning or solicit further input. Students with intermediate‐level proficiency also used these strategies, but less frequently and in qualitatively different ways. In addition, they more often used the strategy of uptaking. Results are discussed in light of cognitive and social constraints. The article presents pedagogical implications of the study's findings.