Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo

Oral Communication
Professor Dr. Aurlia Leal Lima Lyrio
Francyne Gonalves, Vanessa Gomes Alves de Oliveira


Chapter 7- Research project ideas and frameworks

The projects selected in the chapter show different approaches of
investigations into the spoken mode towards generalizations, which can be
used in descriptions of spoken discourse or applied in the classroom. Articles
were selected and include qualitative, quantitative, corpus informed,
conversation analytic, ethnographic, phonetic, pragmatic and modern brain
scanning techniques.
In Lams Discourse particles in corpus data and textbooks: the case of the
well, the author compares the use of discourse particles by expert users of
English in Hong Kong, with their descriptions and presentations in textbooks
designed for leaners of English in the same community. It investigates the
similarities and differences in the use of the particle well, in terms of
frequency, positional preference and discourse function. This research is
interesting because of its relevance in the current debates in applied
linguistics and it aims to provide an analysis about spoken language, research
and pedagogy. Lam, in her research, found significant differences in terms of
frequency and nature of the particle in the two sources she was researching.
She focused on both less interactive and more interactive contexts. Finally,
she discovered that textbook discussions over-emphasized the use of well
in comparison to the overall use in the corpus. This research is a useful
starting point for the new researcher, because it asks several questions about
the contrasts between speech used outside the classroom and the speech
presented to the learner in the classroom. The article also deals with the
issue of what model the learner should learn: the native-speaker one, or high
achieving non-native speaker.
Lam also suggests that well can be used with the function of framing. She
says that this use can be helpful to the listener in extended speech, because
it shows transitions points or divergence in the conversation. The book
presents four stages in researching the usage of well amongst students.
First, decide the discourse type to be the main focus in relation to the
categories found in Lam. Second, gathering data. Third, record as many
student presentations or discussions as possible. Last one, the results and the
discussions of the findings.
In Hincks Speaking rate and information content in English lingua franca oral
presentations, the author quantifies differences in speaking rates in a first
and second language, and examines the effects of slower rates on the
speakers abilities to convey information. The participants were 14 fluent
English L2 speakers, who did the same presentation in English and in their
native language, Swedish. The speaking rate, after analysis, was found to be
23% slower in English. Since English is growing more with the time, this
research was found to be useful and relevant. Hincks says that the
characteristics of the speaker would pass from his L1 to his L2. This research
is quantitative. There are two things that would be interesting to do,
according to the book. First would be replicate the study with a different
language or with several languages, and second would be to add a reflective
phase to the study where the speakers are interviewed about the experience
of presenting in each language.
In Cheng and Tsui Ahh ((laugh)) Well there is no comparison between the
two I think: how do Hong Kong Chinese and native speakers of English
disagree with each other?, the authors used qualitative analysis of
sequences of disagreements between Chinese speakers of English and native
speakers of English in a conversational excerpt. It presents work on
intercultural pragmatics. Through their analysis, they reach conclusions about
the conversational behavior and relate it to the difference between cultures.
It combines quantitative analysis with conversation analytic tools. In the
beginning of the article, three hypotheses are set up about what
conversational behavior the researches think they may see. First, HKC will
disagree with NSE less frequently than NSE will disagree with HKC. Second,
HKC will use bald-on-record strategies in their disagreements less frequently
than NSE will use bald-on-record strategies in their disagreements. Third,
HKC will use redressive language in their disagreements more frequently
than NSE will use redressive language in their disagreements. The authors
concluded that the first hypothesis was not supported, but the other two
were. The HKC speakers were more soft in their answers, while the NSE were
not that soft. Both had different styles to handle the conversation. In
addition, the frequency of expression of disagreement does not differ
between them.
In Burns and Moore Questioning in simulated accountantclient
consultations: exploring implications for ESP teaching, the authors research
investigating spoken accounting discourse derived from simulated
accountant- client consultations. It deals with the spoken interaction in
professional contexts and the ESP classroom. Its a very interesting article
since there is little research on this subject and its important for
international students. It also outlines the importance of role-plays in the
classroom, representing the reality.
In Simpson Differing expectations in the assessment of the speaking skills of
ESOL learners, the author studies the assessment of the speaking skills of
adult learners of English for speakers of other languages. The paper brings
together areas of interest in testing: whether the speaking assessment
should be viewed as an interview or as a conversation; divergent
interpretations of the test event by learners; and variation in interlocutor
behavior. It was used a qualitative method of research based on
conversational analysis.
In Straube Social cues, mentalizing and the neural processing of speech
accompanied by gestures, the author discusses the body orientation during
conversation, the neural pathways underpinning the comprehension of social
cues, and its investigated the influence of addressing vs non- addressing
body orientation on the neural processing of speech accompanied by
gestures. The results were that the social cues influence the neural
processing of speech-gestures utterances. Mentalizing could be the
responsible for this. It shows how the brain works differently in different
conversational situations.