BI-CULTURAL RESPONSES TO CHINESE LEARNERS＇ SPOKEN ENGLISH
摘要
This paper reports on the first stage of a multi-stage researchproject into the notion of appropriate in spoken communicationfor advanced, adult learners of English in China. This stagecomprises a probe into the communicative effect on native andnon-native speakers of the nonverbal features of intonation,facial expression, gesture and gaze in learners' presentations.Data show differences in focus of attention for each group and insources of irritation, In particular, movement of the body isidentified as a point of potential clash in expectations concerningappropriate behaviour. Results were discussed with Chineseparticipants. Some whose learning goal is native speakerstandard advocated learning native speaker norms in thenonverbal domain, while others were less sure about thedesirability or feasibility of change in such fundamentalpsychological and social features of expression. Still othersrejected the native speaker standard as a learning goal and norm.Findings suggest further examination of the issues in other,more interactive communicative actions could be useful.