The Influence of Language Contact and Vocabulary Knowledge on the Speaking Performance of Japanese Students of English

Abstract

This study examined the influence of language contact and vocabulary knowledge on the speaking performance of 73 Japanese students in English language schools in New Zealand. The participants completed a language contact pro- file questionnaire and a vocabulary test, and were administered a story retelling task (which constituted the measure of speaking performance). The results revealed that vocabulary knowledge correlated with fluency, accuracy, complexity, and global impression aspects of speaking performance. Time spent on the following were also found to correlate posi- tively with various aspects of speaking performance: studying English, staying in English-speaking countries, speaking English outside of school, speaking English with non-native English speakers, and reading. In contrast, time spent watch- ing television was found to negatively correlate with speaking accuracy.