Scripted and Unscripted Information Exchange Tasks : Two Approaches to Learner Negotiation in the Foreign Language Classroom

Authors

Steven Ross
Richard Berwick

Publication Date

1988-01-01

Abstract

This study examines communicative classsroom interaction based on scripted and unscripted tasks. 94 Japanese university students were assigned to two groups. One group, the scripted task group, used a communicative textbook which featured scripted dialogs, functional language practice and information gap type exercises. The other group, the unscripted task group, used information exchange tasks which did not have any prescribed dialog at all. Students in this group were required to negotiate meanings using their own interlanguage. Two pre-tests were used to assess pre-treatment student ability; the Ilyin Oral Interview test and a narrative task. Students were retested at the end of the first semester with alternate forms of these tests. Treatments were switched at the beginning of the second semester. In addition to the language tests, course evaluations were done by the students at the end of both semesters to provide a qualitative perspective on the content of the classroom lessons. The Comprehensive English Language Test Structure Section was used at the end of the second semester. Results indicated that students found the scripted tasks to be more face valid, but less worthy of recommendation than the unscripted tasks. Test results indicated that students in the unscripted task group were more accurate in their use of interrogatives on the oral interview than were the scripted task group students. The analysis of student discourse indicated that there were dramatically more requests for clarification and referential questions in the uncripted task group discourse. These results suggest that information exchange tasks that encourage learners to negotiate freely are most beneficial to foreign language learners at the post-secondary level.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.18.1.5

First Page

21

Last Page

31

Recommended Citation

Ross, Steven and Berwick, Richard (1988) "Scripted and Unscripted Information Exchange Tasks : Two Approaches to Learner Negotiation in the Foreign Language Classroom," PASAA: Vol. 18: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.18.1.5
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/pasaa/vol18/iss1/5