Exploring Factors Affecting the Use of Oral Communication Strategies Exploring Factors Affecting the Use of Oral Communication Strategies

This study investigates the factors influencing the oral communication strategies of technological university students in Taiwan. Ninety-eight sophomore students of Lunghwa University of Science and Technology participated in it. Nakatani’s Oral Communication Strategy Inventory (OCSI) (2006), along with the demographics and English learning backgrounds of students, was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, a one way ANOVA, the Pearson correlation and multiple regressions using SPSS were applied to analyze the data. The study finds that students most often employed message reduction and alternation strategies and least often employed message abandonment strategies. Students’ self-perceived oral proficiency, the frequency of and motivation in speaking English were significantly correlated with the use of oral communication strategies. However, gender and English proficiency did not have any effect on the use of oral communication strategies. Finally, the frequency of speaking English outside the classroom and motivation in speaking English were the powerful predictors of the use of oral communication strategies among this group of learners. Thus, the inquiry highlights the importance of functional practice and intrinsic motivation in the development of communication strategies and oral competence. It is hoped that this study will encourage a more serious reflection on the oral proficiency of technological university students. At the same time, EFL teachers will find more efficient methods to instruct students in effective communication strategies, allowing them to employ the strategies skillfully in their future communication with native and nonnative speakers.