Chapter 7. Working memory and task difficulty as factors of L2 pragmatics
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Shuai Li
Abstract
This study explored the effects of working memory capacity and task difficulty on pragmatic performance in Chinese as a second language (L2). Fifty American learners of Chinese completed a pragmatic listening judgment test (LJT), an oral discourse completion test (ODCT), and a working memory test. The LJT and the ODCT involved two scenario types with different levels of task difficulty: a PDR-high (i.e. higher power, large distance and high imposition) condition, and a PDR-low (i.e. equal power, small distance and low imposition) condition. Results showed that task difficulty influenced pragmatic production but not pragmatic judgment. Working memory capacity correlated with ODCT appropriateness scores and LJT response times, but these correlation patterns were only found under the PDR-high condition rather than the PDR-low condition.
Abstract
This study explored the effects of working memory capacity and task difficulty on pragmatic performance in Chinese as a second language (L2). Fifty American learners of Chinese completed a pragmatic listening judgment test (LJT), an oral discourse completion test (ODCT), and a working memory test. The LJT and the ODCT involved two scenario types with different levels of task difficulty: a PDR-high (i.e. higher power, large distance and high imposition) condition, and a PDR-low (i.e. equal power, small distance and low imposition) condition. Results showed that task difficulty influenced pragmatic production but not pragmatic judgment. Working memory capacity correlated with ODCT appropriateness scores and LJT response times, but these correlation patterns were only found under the PDR-high condition rather than the PDR-low condition.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of contributors xi
- Foreword xvii
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Introduction
- Chapter 1. L2 pragmatics in action 3
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Part I. Teachers
- Chapter 2. Teachers gaining awareness of L2 pragmatics by means of an asynchronous professional development module 31
- Chapter 3. Teachers’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards instruction in L2 pragmatics 63
- Chapter 4. Teachers’ identity and agency in L2 pragmatics 89
- Chapter 5. Teachers’ awareness and beliefs towards corrective feedback in L2 pragmatics 113
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Part II. Learners
- Chapter 6. Proficiency effects on L2 pragmatics 145
- Chapter 7. Working memory and task difficulty as factors of L2 pragmatics 169
- Chapter 8. Task motivation effects on L2 pragmatics 191
- Chapter 9. Language attitude effects on L2 pragmatics 215
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Part III. Teaching-learning in action
- Chapter 10. Skill acquisition based approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 243
- Chapter 11. Usage-based approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 267
- Chapter 12. A concept-based approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 293
- Chapter 13. A task-supported language approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 319
- Index 341
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of contributors xi
- Foreword xvii
-
Introduction
- Chapter 1. L2 pragmatics in action 3
-
Part I. Teachers
- Chapter 2. Teachers gaining awareness of L2 pragmatics by means of an asynchronous professional development module 31
- Chapter 3. Teachers’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards instruction in L2 pragmatics 63
- Chapter 4. Teachers’ identity and agency in L2 pragmatics 89
- Chapter 5. Teachers’ awareness and beliefs towards corrective feedback in L2 pragmatics 113
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Part II. Learners
- Chapter 6. Proficiency effects on L2 pragmatics 145
- Chapter 7. Working memory and task difficulty as factors of L2 pragmatics 169
- Chapter 8. Task motivation effects on L2 pragmatics 191
- Chapter 9. Language attitude effects on L2 pragmatics 215
-
Part III. Teaching-learning in action
- Chapter 10. Skill acquisition based approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 243
- Chapter 11. Usage-based approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 267
- Chapter 12. A concept-based approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 293
- Chapter 13. A task-supported language approach to teaching L2 pragmatics 319
- Index 341