Turn-taking in American English: A case study of turn-taking patterns in a native speaker/non-native speaker English conversation

Abstract

The ability to participate in conversations is an important skill in a second language; however, it is difficult to teach language learners exactly how to participate in conversations. Turn-taking is one particular aspect of conversation that many ESL students have difficulty with.This case study analyzes data from a native speaker/non-native speaker English conversation to determine what difficulties the non-native speaker has with turn-taking in the second language. Next, oral skills texts used in the Minnesota English Center (the M.E.C.) are reviewed to see if they teach turn-taking skills. Finally, based on the data obtained from the conversation and the text review, recommendations for teaching turntaking are made for oral skills classes at each level in the M.E.C.