Comparative Study Of Chinese EFL Learners’ Communication Strategies In Text-based Computer-mediated Communication

As a synchronous communication form of Computer-mediated Communication(CMC),text-based CMC has the features of immediate output and prompt feedback,which is similar to face-to-face communication as well as much different from it.Interlocutors need to use CSs for successful interactions when encountering communication barriers in both face-to-face communication and text-based CMC.That is to say,they can employ CSs to bridge the gap between limited language proficiency and actual communication needs.The researches on the use of CSs in face-to-face communication abroad and at home are abundant,while the studies of the use of communication strategies in text-based CMC are still lacking.This research aims at discussing the differences in communication strategy choices and their use frequencies between English majors and Non-English majors,and that of different English proficiency students in the context of text-based CMC.It also explores the correlation between familiarity of online discussion topics and communication strategy use from the aspects of communication strategy choices and use frequencies.This experiment lasts 10 weeks.All the experiment subjects are from two classes of English major and Machinery major in Yanshan University.The author combines methods of qualitative research and quantitative research in this thesis.Firstly the data are collected and analyzed through text-based CMC experiment and SPSS16.0,and then questionnaires and random interviews are conducted,finally the research findings are summarized as follows:(1)Although English majors and non-English majors have some differences in communication strategy choices,they do not reach a significant level.The two group students’ use frequencies of communication strategies are also similar on the whole.(2)The CS choices and use frequencies among Proficient Group,Intermediate Group and Less-proficient Group are significantly different,especially between Proficient Group and Less-proficient Group.(3)The CS choices and use frequencies correlate familiarity of topics.Moreover,both the oral teachers and students hold positive attitudes towards the effects of text-based CMC.They believe that the best way to promote oral proficiency is the combination of classroom interaction and CMC.Meanwhile,most students state that they have lower anxiety in text-based CMC so as to express themselves in English bravely,which makes them more confident in classroom activities.Although this research has some shortcomings,it gives constructive suggestions for future oral English teaching.First,in light of positive influence of communication strategies on oral English,teachers should conduct relevant trainings in classroom.During the trainings,they must consider the students’ differences because of majors and target language proficiency in order to redesign teaching methods appropriately.Second,the students should discuss more about unfamiliar topics so that they have more opportunities to use communication strategies,which can enhance the training effects.Finally,teachers should combine text-based CMC into classroom teaching effectively to fully mobilize students’ learning enthusiasm and to improve their participation degree.