Target language proficiency and reported use of compensatory strategies by young CLIL learners
International Journal of Applied Linguistics 30(1) : 3-18 (2020)
Abstract
Studies investigating compensatory strategies (CSs) by
means of questionnaires in English‐as‐a‐Foreign‐Language
(EFL) contexts with young learners are lacking, particularly
in Content‐and‐Language‐Integrated‐Learning (CLIL) environments.
Three different proficiency groups of young
English learners in a CLIL programme were administered a
survey to explore the existence of intergroup differences
regarding the amount and types of CSs used. Learners
exhibited a moderately high use of CSs overall, and no differences
emerged regarding the total number of CSs as a
function of target language (TL) proficiency. In terms of
types of CSs used, they reported using some CSs
(paraphrasing) which are typical of more advanced learners.
However, more proficient learners were found to draw on
some non L2‐based strategies (avoidance, foreignising,
miming) to a lesser extent than less proficient learners.