Communication Strategies in Instruction / Acquisition of Languages for Specific Purposes

Abstract

Abstract. The present paper looks at a set of communication strategies employed in teaching and learning a language for specific purposes taken that such language for specific purposes is a language other than a native language to the speaker. English examples drawn from a variety of business and cultural backgrounds, i.e. English for Business, Law, Finance and Audit, Change Management, Leadership, etc. illustrate variability in communication strategies employed by the speaker but as opposed to a circumstance of foreign language instruction and language acquisition demonstrate the critical importance of linguistic competence as well. The paper aims to (i) provide definitions of the communicative strategy as followed in literature, (ii) discuss taxonomies of communication strategies that speakers use to present their thoughts and ideas in English for specific purpose in a(n) [non-native] English-speaking environment, and (iii) stretch that further to professional communication models in a foreign language climate when acquiring new linguistic and strategic skills and competences. Thus, the work includes a linguistic / product-oriented typology of communication strategies (proposed by Dornyei 1995) since it incorporates most commonly shared communication strategies found in Varadi’s, Tarone’s, Faerch and Kasper’s, and Bialostok’s typologes: (a) avoidance strategies, or reduction CS; (b) compensatory, achievement, strategies; and (c) time-gaining communication strategies.