Abstract
While there has been an increasing number of studies incorporating the use of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) applications in pragmatics instruction over the past decade, these applications have yet to harness the explanatory and illustrative power of corpus data. The current chapter documents the process of developing a corpus-based online instructional website for the teaching of routine formulas in Russian, including a description of the process of selecting routine formulas using corpus methodologies and of designing the online modules using excerpts from the oral subcorpus of the Russian National Corpus. Recommendations based on this experience are provided for others interested in creating similar resources. Learner feedback on the site itself, with particular focus on the comprehensibility and usefulness of the corpus excerpts, is presented to demonstrate the effects of corpus-referred instructional materials. This project promotes the case for the utilization of corpus methodologies in pragmatics-focused CALL applications as it provides insight into developmental processes, benefits, and potential future avenues of exploration.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Adolphs, S. (2008). Corpus and context: Investigating pragmatic functions in spoken discourse. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Agastein, D. (1988). Colloquial Russian in the classroom. Russian Language Journal, 141–143, 41–49.
Alcón Soler, E., & Martínez-Flor, A. (2008). Pragmatics in foreign language contexts. In E. Alcón Soler & A. Martínez-Flor (Eds.), Investigating pragmatics in foreign language learning, teaching and testing (pp. 3–21). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Alsufieva, A., Kisselev, O., & Freels, S. (2012). Results 2012: Using flagship data to develop a Russian learner corpus of academic writing. Russian Language Journal, 62, 79–105.
Anthony, L. (2014). AntConc (Version 3.4.3) [Computer Software]. Tokyo: Waseda University. Available from http://www.laurenceanthony.net/
Bao, D. (2013). Developing materials for the speaking skill. In B. Tomlinson (Ed.), Developing materials for language teaching (pp. 407–428). London: Bloomsbury.
Bardovi-Harlig, K. (2001). Evaluating the empirical evidence: Grounds for instruction in pragmatics? In K. R. Rose & G. Kasper (Eds.), Pragmatics in language teaching (pp. 13–32). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bardovi-Harlig, K. (2012). Formulas, routines, and conversational expressions in pragmatics research. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 32, 206–227.
Bardovi-Harlig, K., & Vellenga, H. E. (2012). The effect of instruction on conventional expressions in L2 pragmatics. System, 40(1), 77–89.
Belz, J. A. (2007). The role of computer mediation in the instruction and development of L2 pragmatic competence. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 27, 45–75.
Belz, J. A., & Vyatkina, N. (2005). Learner corpus analysis and the development of L2 pragmatic competence in networked intercultural language study: The case of German modal particles. Canadian Modern Language Review/La Revue canadienne des langues vivantes, 62(1), 17–48.
Biber, D., & Conrad, S. (2010). Corpus linguistics and grammar teaching. White Plains: Pearson Education.
Blyth, C. (2012). Opening up foreign language education with open educational resources. In F. Rubio & J. J. Thoms (Eds.), Hybrid language teaching and learning: Exploring theoretical, pedagogical and curricular issues (pp. 196–218). Boston: Heinle Thomson.
Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition. (2006). Dancing with words: Strategies for learning pragmatics in Spanish. Important information for researchers. Retrieved from http://www.carla.umn.edu/speechacts/sp_pragmatics/for_researchers.html
Coulmas, F. (1979). On the sociolinguistic relevance of routine formulae. Journal of Pragmatics, 3, 239–266.
Diepenbroek, L. G., & Derwing, T. M. (2014). To what extent do popular ESL textbooks incorporate oral fluency and pragmatic development. TESL Canada Journal, 30(7), 1–20.
Dörnyei, Z., & Thurrell, S. (1992). Conversation and dialogues in action. New York: Prentice Hall.
Furniss, E. (2013). Using a corpus-based approach to Russian as a foreign language materials development. Russian Language Journal, 63, 195–212.
Furniss, E. A. (2016). Teaching the pragmatics of Russian conversation using a corpus-referred website. Language Learning & Technology, 20(2), 38–60.
Garrett, N. (2009). Computer-assisted language learning trends and issues revisited: Integrating innovation. The Modern Language Journal, 93, 719–740.
Hughes, R. (2010). Materials to develop the speaking skill. In N. Harwood (Ed.), English language teaching materials: Theory and practice (pp. 207–224). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ishihara, N. (2007). Web-based curriculum for pragmatics instruction in Japanese as a foreign language: An explicit awareness-raising approach. Language Awareness, 16(1), 21–40.
Ishihara, N., & Cohen, A. D. (2010). Teaching and learning pragmatics: Where language and culture meet. Harlow: Pearson Longman.
Judd, E. L. (1999). Some issues in the teaching of pragmatic competence. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Culture in second language teaching and learning (pp. 152–166). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kasper, G. (2001). Four perspectives on L2 pragmatic development. Applied Linguistics, 22(4), 502–530.
Kasper, G., & Schmidt, R. (1996). Developmental issues in interlanguage pragmatics. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 18(2), 149–169.
Mauranen, A. (2004). Spoken corpus for an ordinary learner. In J. M. Sinclair (Ed.), How to use corpora in language teaching (pp. 89–105). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
McCarten, J. (2007). Teaching vocabulary: Lessons from the corpus, lessons for the classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McCarten, J., & McCarthy, M. (2010). Bridging the gap between corpus and course book: The case of conversation strategies. In F. Mishan & A. Chambers (Eds.), Perspectives on language learning materials development (pp. 11–32). Bern: Peter Lang.
McCarthy, M., McCarten, J., & Sandiford, H. (2005). Touchstone 1 & 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McCarthy, M., McCarten, J., & Sandiford, H. (2006). Touchstone 3 & 4. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Miller, L., & Ginsberg, R. (1995). Folklinguistic theories of language learning. In B. F. Freed (Ed.), Second language acquisition in a study abroad context (pp. 293–315). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Mishan, F. (2004). Authenticating corpora for language learning: A problem and its resolution. ELT Journal, 58(3), 219–227.
Narita, R. (2012). The effects of pragmatic consciousness-raising activity on the development of pragmatic awareness and use of hearsay evidential markers for learners of Japanese as a foreign language. Journal of Pragmatics, 44(1), 1–29.
Norrick, N. R. (2015). Interjections. In K. Aijmer & C. Rühlemann (Eds.), Corpus pragmatics: A handbook (pp. 249–275). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pavlenko, A. (2006). Rationale and research basis for teaching materials on narrative and conceptual proficiency in advanced-level Russian (CALPER Report). University Park, PA: Center for Advanced Language Proficiency Education and Research Report. Retrieved from http://calper.la.psu.edu/docs/pdfs/studiesreports/Teaching_Russian_for_Advanced_Proficiency_USDOED.pdf
Pawley, A., & Syder, F. H. (1983). Two puzzles for linguistic theory: Nativelike selection and nativelike fluency. In J. C. Richards & R. W. Schmidt (Eds.), Language and communication (pp. 191–226). New York: Longman.
Rafieyan, V., Sharafi-Nejad, M., & Eng, L. S. (2014). Effect of pragmatic awareness on comprehension and production of conventional expressions. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 4(7), 1352–1358.
Rifkin, B. (1997). Review article: Second language acquisition theory and the new generation of Russian language textbooks. The Slavic and East European Journal, 41(2), 330–340.
Römer, U. (2011). Corpus research applications in second language teaching. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 31, 205–225.
Russell, V., & Vasquez, C. (2011). A web-based tutorial for the instruction of Spanish pragmatics. IALLT Journal of Language Learning Technologies, 41(2), 27–55.
Schmidt, R. W. (1990). The role of consciousness in second language learning. Applied Linguistics, 11(2), 129–158.
Schmidt, R. W. (1993). Awareness and second language acquisition. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 13(1), 206–226.
Schmidt, R. W. (2001). Attention. In P. Robinson (Ed.), Cognition and second language instruction (pp. 3–32). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Sinclair, J. M. (2004). New evidence, new priorities, new attitudes. In J. M. Sinclair (Ed.), How to use corpora in language teaching (pp. 271–299). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Sykes, J. M., & Cohen, A. D. (2008). Observed learner behavior, reported use, and evaluation of a website for learning Spanish pragmatics. In M. Bowles, R. Foote, & S. Perpiñán (Eds.), Second language acquisition and research: Focus on form and function (pp. 144–157). Somerville: Cascadilla.
Taguchi, N. (2011). Teaching pragmatics: Trends and issues. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 31, 289–310.
Taguchi, N., & Sykes, J. M. (Eds.). (2013). Technology in interlanguage pragmatics research and teaching. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Takahashi, S. (2010). Assessing learnability in second language pragmatics. In A. Trosborg (Ed.), Pragmatics across languages and cultures (pp. 391–422). Berlin: De Gruyter.
Tan, M. (2002). Introduction. In M. Tan (Ed.), Corpus studies in language education (pp. 1–12). Bangkok: IELE Press.
Thornbury, S., & Slade, D. (2006). Conversation: From description to pedagogy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Timmis, I. (2013). Corpora and materials: Towards a working relationship. In B. Tomlinson (Ed.), Developing materials for language teaching (pp. 461–474). London: Bloomsbury.
Tomlinson, B. (2012). Materials development for language learning and teaching. Language Teaching, 45(2), 143–179.
Utashiro, T., & Kawai, G. (2009). Blended learning for Japanese reactive tokens: Effects of computer-led, instructor-led, and peer-based instruction. In N. Taguchi (Ed.), Pragmatic competence (pp. 275–300). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Vyatkina, N. (2013). Discovery learning and teaching with electronic corpora in an advanced German grammar course. Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German, 46(1), 44–61.
Waugh, E. (2013). Teaching pragmatics and intercultural communication online. TESL Canada Journal/Revue TESL du Canada, 30(7), 98–107.
Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic language and the lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Appendix A
Appendix A
-
1.
Did you encounter the expressions presented in the module in other contexts, such as in conversation or in Russian texts (e.g., movies, songs, writing)? If so, where did you encounter them?
-
2.
Did you find that you were better able to understand the expressions presented in the module when you encountered them in Russian conversation/texts?
-
3.
Did you ever use the expressions presented in the module in your spoken Russian? If so, when and with whom? Please give concrete examples if you remember them.
-
4.
If you used the expressions presented in the module, how did using them make you feel (e.g., more fluent; awkward because I wasn’t quite sure how/when to use them; etc.)?
-
5.
Please comment on any other aspect of the web-based module or the expressions presented in it that you feel would be useful to the researcher.
-
6.
Which phrases were less common/less used?
-
7.
Do you find a self-study module effective?
-
8.
Do you think conversational language is better used in conversation or from a textbook/website?
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Furniss, E. (2016). Teaching Pragmatics with Corpus Data: The Development of a Corpus-Referred Website for the Instruction of Routine Formulas in Russian. In: Romero-Trillo, J. (eds) Yearbook of Corpus Linguistics and Pragmatics 2016. Yearbook of Corpus Linguistics and Pragmatics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41733-2_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41733-2_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41732-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41733-2
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)