Chapter 17. Spoken Discourse and Second Language Research
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Abstract
Spoken discourse is not simply an orally produced coherent string of sentences but is the primordial means by which humans engage in social life. In second language acquisition (SLA) and neighboring fields and disciplines, spoken discourse has been investigated from an array of approaches—each reflecting their particular ontological and epistemological orientations to language, communication, and learning. The present chapter surveys research on a variety of spoken discourse topics, tasks, and settings involving second language (L2) speakers, focusing primarily on nonclassroom settings (see Jenks & Sert, Chapter 21 in this volume, for a survey of classroom discourse). It begins with an overview of two primary strands of L2 spoken discourse research to show how they contribute to second language acquisition (SLA) research: (1) studies that approach discourse as a means of revealing L2 speakers’ competence and its development, and (2) those that approach discourse as a site for L2 learning. After surveying selected methodological approaches in these two strands of research, the chapter concludes with implications for teaching and assessment and suggestions for future SLA research on spoken discourse.
