“Sorry, that's all I know!”: A study on web‐based pragmatic instruction for novice learners

• Published in: Foreign language annals Vol. 56; no. 3; pp. 645 - 666
• Main Authors: Kerber, Noelle, Shea, Jacqueline, Tecedor, Marta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria Wiley 01.09.2023; American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
• Subjects: Apologies; Communicative Competence (Languages); Computer assisted language learning; Conventional Instruction; Educational materials; Electronic Learning; Independent Study; Intervention; Knowledge; Language acquisition; Learner Engagement; Learning environment; Linguistics; Novices; Oral Language; Pragmatics; Second language instruction; Second Language Learning; Second language teachers; Spanish; Spanish as a second language; Speech; Study abroad; Teaching; Teaching Methods
• ISSN: 0015-718X; 1944-9720
• DOI: 10.1111/flan.12706

This study examines the impact of instructor‐led (IL) versus self‐access (SA) web‐based pragmatic instruction on novice second language learners' ( n  = 28) awareness and oral production of Spanish apologies. Two sections of a second‐semester Spanish course were assigned to either the IL or the SA group. The web‐based resource Dancing with Words was used to provide pragmatic instruction. Participants in the SA group worked through the materials individually, and participants in the IL group received support and guidance from the instructor. A quasi‐experimental, pre‐/posttest design was used to measure participants' pragmatic competence (i.e., awareness and production skills) before and after a 5‐week intervention period. Results indicate three major findings: (1) learners follow developmental trajectories similar to those identified in study abroad, (2) instructor guidance is important for novice learners' development of pragmatic competence, and (3) special consideration should be given to instructional materials to ensure they align with the instructional context and goals. Instructional pragmatics is often ignored at the novice level; however, learners must acquire both the forms and functions of their target language to achieve intercultural communicative competence. Can novice learners develop pragmatic competence? How might web‐based resources impact this development and in which instructional contexts would they be most successful?