Papers by D. Joseph Cunningham
Telecollaboration is a type of online learning arrangement between geographically distant partici... more Telecollaboration is a type of online learning arrangement between geographically distant participants for the development of language and intercultural competence. After two decades of research, it is an apt time to engage in a systematic review of previous studies in the form of a scoping review in order to illuminate the pedagogical practices commonly used in telecollaboration. The study synthesized 55 distinct telecollaboration projects that took place in university foreign language classes and utilized synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC) tools to answer (1) What are the typical arrangements of SCMC-based telecollaboration (e.g., participants, project set-ups, and interaction set-ups)? and (2) How have SCMC-based telecollaboration projects changed over the last two decades?
We identified six commonly adopted arrangements of SCMC-based telecollaboration. We also found that, while certain pedagogical practices in telecollaboration have matured, the field is undergoing reconceptualization and expansion with the advancement of technology and diversification of participants. In conclusion, we provide suggestions to improve reporting practices in the field.
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Second language (L2) request production has long been a central area of inquiry in interlanguage ... more Second language (L2) request production has long been a central area of inquiry in interlanguage pragmatics, including how L2 learners mitigate their requests and whether such strategies correspond to or differ from those of first language (L1) speakers. Methodologically, such research often involves elicited speech and tends to isolate the speech act from the surrounding discourse using instruments such as discourse completion tasks. While some naturalistic speech contexts (e.g., academic advising sessions) have been investigated, few studies to date have analyzed requesting in synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC). The current study responds by presenting a multifactorial analysis of L1 and L2 request production that occurred during eight one-hour web conferences between L2 learners of German for professional purposes and L1 German professionals. Three taxonomies traditionally used in face-to-face pragmatics research were adapted for analysis of the SCMC, enabling the use of a generalized linear mixed model. Findings indicate that while both groups of speakers used predominantly direct requesting behavior, L1 speakers used significantly more internal modification devices than did L2 learners.
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Context-specific enactment of pragmatic appropriateness requires high levels of second language (... more Context-specific enactment of pragmatic appropriateness requires high levels of second language (L2) pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic knowledge. In order to elucidate the appropriateness of request production in telecollaboration for professional purposes, this study examines the role of grammaticality and discourse management in oral synchronous interactions between L1 and L2 speakers of German. Findings indicate that ungrammati-cality and lack of discourse control impeded the appropriateness of the learners' interaction with L1 speakers. Conversely, those learners displaying higher levels of grammaticality and more attention to discourse-level organization were able to produce more appropriate requests. To conclude, empirical findings are discussed in relation to pedagogical implications.
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Cunningham, D. J., & Vyatkina, N. (2012). Telecollaboration for professional purposes: Towards developing a formal register in the German classroom. Canadian Modern Language Review, 68(4), 422-450., 2012
This study reports on the development of a professional spoken register among learners of German ... more This study reports on the development of a professional spoken register among learners of German as they participate in four synchronous Web conferences with German-speaking professionals. The researchers investigated the effect of interaction with expert German speakers combined with an instructional intervention focusing on pragmatic competence on the develop- ment of learners’ ability to communicate in a second language (L2) profes- sional register. The data reveal a positive effect on the strategic use of modal verbs for expressing polite requests as well as a moderate effect on learners’ use of the subjunctive mood to establish social distance. These results add further support for the use of intercultural online exchanges mediated by data- driven instruction in the foreign language classroom and highlight the utility of a microgenetic approach to analyzing spoken data.
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Book Reviews by D. Joseph Cunningham
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Papers by D. Joseph Cunningham
We identified six commonly adopted arrangements of SCMC-based telecollaboration. We also found that, while certain pedagogical practices in telecollaboration have matured, the field is undergoing reconceptualization and expansion with the advancement of technology and diversification of participants. In conclusion, we provide suggestions to improve reporting practices in the field.
Book Reviews by D. Joseph Cunningham
We identified six commonly adopted arrangements of SCMC-based telecollaboration. We also found that, while certain pedagogical practices in telecollaboration have matured, the field is undergoing reconceptualization and expansion with the advancement of technology and diversification of participants. In conclusion, we provide suggestions to improve reporting practices in the field.