Navigating English-mediated online discourse: Communication strategies of Indonesian EFL learners in online discussions
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communicative competence, communication strategies, English language learning, group discussion, online learning
Abstract
For non-native English speakers, effective and meaningful communication
in English can pose challenges due to potential limitations in their communicative
competence. Such challenges can cause communication breakdowns if not effectively
managed. This complexity is compounded when English communication occurs in an
online setting, where technological issues and lack of social presence may disrupt the
communication. This study aims to explore the communication strategies utilized by
Indonesian EFL learners when participating in online group discussions. The data were
collected from six groups of first-year English Department students involving a total of
twenty-two students engaged in 20-minute online discussions per group. The analysis
focused on the discourse produced by the participants during these discussions
observing the strategies employed by the participants. The findings indicated that
Indonesian EFL learners predominantly applied achievement and compensatory
strategies. These strategies encompassed code-switching, circumlocution,
approximation, the use of all-purpose words, word foreignizing, and appealing for help.
Among these strategies, code-switching emerged as the prevailing strategy for
Indonesian EFL learners engaged in online group discussions. While conversing, code-
switching was automatically and naturally used, particularly when referring to
Indonesian acronyms and names. At last, implications and future directions are
addressed.
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