Task-Processing Conditions as Influences on Spoken Language Performance

Task-Processing Conditions as Influences on Spoken Language Performance

The study investigated the effects of three task-processing conditions on the 18 variables of fluency, complexity, and accuracy in an oral narrative task produced by students of low English proficiency. A 2-by-2-by-2 research plan was designed, with the two familiarity conditions (familiar or unfamiliar story), two planning conditions (with or without 10 minutes of planning time), and two cognitive load conditions (sequenced or jumbled pictures). The results of the MANOVA statistical test were not significant, except for the univariate result of familiarity for subordinate clauses, one of complexity measures (p=.014). Subordinate clauses were produced more in the unfamiliar story conditions, and different types of subordinate clause markers were used in familiar and unfamiliar story conditions. Although the univariate results for planning were not significant (p=.051), students in the planned conditions managed more subject ellipsis than those in the unplanned conditions. These findings address a number of pedagogic issues for teachers and material designers how tasks could be selected and combined under different conditions.