Date of Award

2014

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Master's Paper

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

English

Department

English

College

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Faculty Advisor

Mara, Andrew

Description

A major concern for many international students is improving their spoken English, which requires engaged interaction with other speakers in a comfortable environment. This exploratory study analyzes a student-run language acquisition program to determine the extent to which it provides an empowering space for non-native speakers of English through its cultural presentations and small-group conversations. By using recorded conversations at the meetings, interviews, and surveys, this study found that the native English speakers often focused more on sustaining the conversations than providing opportunities to learn. Several strategies were noted that either encouraged or limited the engagement of non-native speakers of English, such as asking open questions and being sensitive to the interests of the other participants. This student-led program provides international students with the necessary exposure to English conversation but is not a substitute for structured English instruction.

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/23146

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