COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN L1 AND L2 SPEAKING

Abstract

The description, offered in the preceding article, of how spoken fluency is achieved, has made no distinction between the speaking of a first language (Ll) and the speaking of another language (L2). We have discussed the skills and kinds of knowledge involved in achieving fluency as if these were absolute qualides that all speakers share. Clearly this is not the case. Even among Ll speakers there can be wide variations in the degree of fluency that individuals demonstrate. These differences are exacerbated when it comes to speaking in a language different from your own. The inevitable lack of fluency involved is a source of frustration and even embarrassment, as attested by these quotes from learners of English, in response to the question: Which aspects of your English do you most want to improve?