Tetyana Sydorenko

Refining pragmatically-appropriate oral communication via computer-simulated conversations

ABSTRACT To address the problem of limited opportunities for practicing second language speaking in interaction, especially delicate interactions requiring pragmatic competence, we describe computer simulations designed for the oral practice of extended pragmatic routines and report on the affordances of such simulations for learning pragmatically appropriate communication. Twelve highly proficient learners of English completed six simulated conversations focused on making requests in academic contexts. Evidence of learning was examined microgenetically by comparing data across the simulated conversations and triangulated by written reflections, surveys, and interviews. Results showed that participants gained content and linguistic forms from expert speaker models, and their interactions in scenario-based simulations indicated greater pragmatic awareness and changes in oral production over time. The majority of participants viewed the program positively, commenting on features such as its authenticity and predictive accuracy.

Item Writer Judgments of Item Difficulty Versus Actual Item Difficulty: A Case Study

This study investigates how accurate one item writer can be on item difficulty estimates and whether factors affecting item writer judgments correspond to predictors of actual item difficulty. The items were based on conversational dialogs (presented as videos online) that focus on pragmatic functions. Thirty-five 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-year learners of Russian participated. The results indicated that the hypothesized item difficulty was a weak, although significant, predictor of actual item difficulty. Intermediate and advanced items did not differ in difficulty, which may suggest that it is more challenging to predict higher level item difficulty or to design higher level items. In general, the item writer was accurate on predictions involving linguistic focus and response format. However, the effect of topical knowledge was not accounted for. This study provides implications for training item writers and for conducting future studies on item difficulty estimation.

Simulated speaking environments for language learning: insights from three cases

ABSTRACT Recent CALL technology reviews cover a plethora of technologies available to language learners to improve a variety of skills, including speaking. However, few technology-enhanced self-access tools are available for pragmatic development, especially in oral modality. Recognizing the benefits of structured practice for second language development, we demonstrate how such practice can be incorporated into three recently developed simulated speaking environments that vary on the targeted L2 (French, English), domain of use (academic or everyday interaction), emphasis on higher-order and/or lower-order skills, and accommodation of multiple L2 varieties. In the spirit of finding synergies and learning from each others experiences in specific local contexts, we address the following research questions: (1) How does the local context, researcher and learner goals, and technological possibilities influence the design of each computer application? (2) Based on the examination of the three programs, what can we learn in view of redesign options and suggest to future developers of such programs?