The Teachability of Communication Strategies

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• A Theoretical Introduction into Communication Strategies
• The History of Communication Strategies Research
• Communication Strategies: Approaches and Definitions
• Communication Strategies: Taxonomies and the Range of Strategies
• The Practical Implications
• The Effectiveness of the Use of Communication Strategies
• The Teachability of Communication Strategies
• Communication Strategies: Teaching Concepts
• Variables in the Choice of Communication Strategies
• The Empirical Part
• Examination and Evaluation of Communication Strategies in the Curriculum
• The Curriculum for ‘Sekundarstufe I’
• The Curriculum for 'Sekundarstufe II'
• Comments on the Findings in the Curricula
• Examination of Text Books
• Quantitative Examination
• Qualitative Examination
• Categories 1 and 2: Range, Frequency and Quality of CS Teaching
• Categories 3 and 4: Potentially Useful Teaching Material
• Evaluation of Results
• A Critique of the Corpus
• Suggestions for Improvements of the Curricula and the Teaching Situation
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to analyze the role of communication strategies (CSs) in language learning, particularly in the context of English education in German Gymnasium schools. It examines both the theoretical foundation and practical implications of CS research. The key themes explored in this thesis are:

• The historical development and theoretical frameworks of communication strategy research
• The effectiveness and teachability of communication strategies in language learning
• The implementation of CS teaching in the German Gymnasium curriculum
• Analysis of English language textbooks for the Gymnasium to determine their incorporation of CS teaching
• Suggestions for improving CS teaching in the German Gymnasium setting

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of communication strategies, inspired by an experience with student vocabulary testing. It outlines the thesis's objectives and structure.
• A Theoretical Introduction into Communication Strategies: This chapter delves into the history of communication strategy research, outlining its emergence in the 1970s. It discusses various approaches, definitions, and taxonomies of CSs, exploring their significance in language teaching and learning.
• The Empirical Part: This chapter examines the presence and application of CSs in the German Gymnasium curriculum for both 'Sekundarstufe I' and 'Sekundarstufe II'. It also analyzes various English language textbooks used in these levels, assessing their incorporation of CS teaching and the extent to which they reflect current research findings.
• Suggestions for Improvements of the Curricula and the Teaching Situation: This chapter offers practical recommendations for enhancing CS teaching in the German Gymnasium, drawing upon the findings of the empirical analysis.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis focuses on the key concepts of communication strategies, language learning, English education, German Gymnasium, curriculum analysis, textbook analysis, and pedagogical implications. The research aims to bridge the gap between theoretical research on communication strategies and their practical application in the classroom setting.