An Investigation on Communication Strategies in English Classrooms

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to probe into the frequency and motive of using avoidance strategies by learners of English in speaking English courses. To this end, both quantitative and qualitative data sources were used. A questionnaire was administered to learners to find out about their learning styles and strategies. They were also given a motivation test to examine if they were motivated enough to make communication in English. Learners were, then, asked to write their diaries about each session so that they could express their feelings, needs, attitudes, etc. This was a framework for learners to self-assess their activities and learning styles, including various strategies they employed during each session. At the same time, using avoidance strategies by learners and reasons behind this were particularly important, as it was the focus of the study. The first aim of the study sought to find the reasons of using avoidance strategies by learners. There are various reasons of using such strategies, the most important and salient of which were „lack of knowledge, the effect of fellow students, stress, lack of confidence, the effect of teacher, fear of scores, and fatigue‟ respectively. As with the goal, that was the effect of Gender on using avoidance strategies, female learners appeared to be more avoidance strategy users. Generally speaking, it seemed, gender had no significant influence on the use of avoidance strategies. With regard to the effect of age on using avoidance strategies, the third aim, it seemed that age had a marginal effect on the use of avoidance strategies, in that, as the age increased, the use of avoidance strategy decreased.