Communication Strategies Used by the Students on the Perspective of Language Proficiency

Abstract

In today's global environment, communication plays a crucial role since everyone cannot be separated with communication activity. Language is believed as a tool of communication. It provides the means to take the place in the society, to express and convey information, to learn about the people and the world around us. This qualitative case study is set to investigate the use of communication strategies on the perspective of language proficiency because the most significant predictor of specific communication strategy use is language proficiency. There are twelve students with high and low proficiency level as the subject of this study which is taken purposively. They are the second year students of English Education Department at one of the universities in Indonesia. In this study, the researcher used multiple data sources, namely observation, interview, and documentation. It is intended to address the research questions. The results showed that the students with high proficiency level used five (5) types and ten (10) sub-types of communication strategies. While the students with low proficiency level used four (4) types and nine (9) sub-types of communication strategies. It means that students with high proficiency level utilized more types and sub-types of communication strategies than the low proficient students did. The study provides valuable contribution in introducing communication strategies and raising students' awareness to actually use English in real-life communication.

Communication Strategies among Inbound Mobility Students

“…It is also clearly stated that the use of variety of communication strategies are needed among these students in order to communicate in English. This is in line with a study by Masithoh & Fauziati (2018) whereby speakers and listeners need to find an effective way to communicate in English and their thoughts to showcase the importance of the English speaking skills as it helps to cope with the various communicative situations and used to compensate the learners' inadequacies so that they can survive in their communication in the chosen language. This is consistent with a study by Vettorel (2018) that indicates communication strategies have shown a significant role in English as a Lingua Franca communication, which is characterised by negotiation and co-construction of meaning; in these encounters, where different linguacultural meet, ELF speakers employ a range of pragmatic strategies to solve, or pre-empt, (potential) non-understandings often drawing on their plurilingual repertoires.…”

“…Sawir (2012) also found that the international students need various types of communication strategies in order to understand the message that had been delivered. Masithoh et al, (2018) claimed in their study that students' linguistic difficulties can be aided through communication strategies. Communication strategies are a big help for students in their fluency in speaking, as they can communicate without borders.…”

The Differences in Communication Strategies Between Pair, Small Group and the Dominantly Used in Discussion among Inbound Mobility Students

“…On the other hand, communication strategies are influenced from the effective ways the people communicate that has the presence of deficiencies which can compensate inadequacies learners have towards the language the learners want to communicate in. This study by Masithoh & Fauziati (2018) is in line with a study by Rahim (2018) where analyzing the interaction by using communication strategy approach is important for a better communication and understanding.…”

“…According to Masithoh and Fauziati (2018), the speaker and listener will be able to easily achieved good communication if it is the meaning is delivered by using the first language. However, problem will arise if the speaker and listener start to communicate by using second or foreign language with each other.…”

“…Having the ability to speak good English will not just focus on making it easier for the speaker to communicate in English, it will also help them to deliver the information in the right way without being misunderstood or misinterpreted. Masithoh and Fauziati (2018) also mentioned that as part of having a good English speaking skill when communicating, using English to deal with various communicative messages can also help the speaker and listener to communicate effectively. On the other hand, communication strategies are influenced from the effective ways the people communicate that has the presence of deficiencies which can compensate inadequacies learners have towards the language the learners want to communicate in.…”