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REDEFINING COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN AN ORAL ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST: CONVERSATIONAL AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSES PERSPECTIVES

LOBO, JOSE I
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1031750201

Abstract Details

2002, EdD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Literacy.
This qualitative study investigates communication issues in English as a second/foreign language using discourse analysis as a theoretical and methodological tool. This study investigated how three Hispanic international graduate assistants used their communicative competence with four evaluators in a performance test at a university in the American Midwest. Furthermore, this study explored the nature of communicative competence using conversational and critical discourse analyses. Conversational analysis of the discourse patterns of the three Hispanic international students revealed that their performance of conversational competence is observed when they make eye-contact, limit their participation to answering what is asked of them, use clarification questions, introduce themselves to their audiences, talk about class objectives, class requirements, textbooks and grading policy, among other possibilities. Critical discourse analysis of the data showed that the three test-takers embedded in their conversational frames issues related to social class, national and cultural origin, teacher talk, language of control, among other possibilities. From a sociolinguistic perspective, the data showed that the female and the male participants used language differently. Women tried to connect with their audiences all the time whereas the male participant always remained detached from his audience creating a status difference between him and his audience. This qualitative study suggests that conversational competence and the language of power typical of American academic interviews be included in the current conceptualization of communicative competence. Both of these subcategories were observed repeatedly in the discourse of the participants in this study. Pedagogical, assessment, and research implications are included.
Dr. Mary Benedetti (Advisor)
communicative competence; discourse analysis; proficiency test; conversational and critical discourse analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • LOBO, J. I. (2002). REDEFINING COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN AN ORAL ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST: CONVERSATIONAL AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSES PERSPECTIVES [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1031750201

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • LOBO, JOSE. REDEFINING COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN AN ORAL ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST: CONVERSATIONAL AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSES PERSPECTIVES. 2002. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1031750201.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • LOBO, JOSE. "REDEFINING COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN AN ORAL ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST: CONVERSATIONAL AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSES PERSPECTIVES." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1031750201

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.