Abstract

This study investigated four communication strategies in problem-free synchronous and asynchronous CMC interactions among 15 advanced Egyptian students in an EFL university context. The data yielded a statistically significant difference in the use of topic continuation and off-task discussion at higher levels than forward inferencing and hypothesis testing in synchronous CMC. Differences among some groups were also observed showing variation in communication strategy use. The results failed to support similar findings in asynchronous CMC. However, the data implied several considerations closely related to low interactivity in asynchronous CMC. The findings suggest that some communication strategies may lend themselves to a certain mode of interaction more than others, considering intra/interpersonal factors. The study concludes that it is necessary to conduct further research on how interactivity relates to other factors. Most significantly, emphasis is placed on exploring nonnative interactions with a focus on communicative successes, despite the learners' linguistic and communicative limitations.

School

School of Continuing Education

Degree Name

MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Date of Award

9-1-2008

Online Submission Date

9-16-2008

First Advisor

Hozayin, Russanne

Committee Member 1

Perry, Fred

Committee Member 2

Wachob, Phyllis

Document Type

Thesis

Extent

142 leaves

Rights

The American University in Cairo grants authors of theses and dissertations a maximum embargo period of two years from the date of submission, upon request. After the embargo elapses, these documents are made available publicly. If you are the author of this thesis or dissertation, and would like to request an exceptional extension of the embargo period, please write to thesisadmin@aucegypt.edu

IRB

Not necessary for this item

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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