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L2 Learners' Pragmatic Output in a Face-to-Face vs. a Computer-Guided Role-Play Task: Implications for TBLT

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Title: L2 Learners' Pragmatic Output in a Face-to-Face vs. a Computer-Guided Role-Play Task: Implications for TBLT
Language: English
Authors: Veronika Timpe-Laughlin (ORCID 0000-0001-8757-8881), Judit Dombi, Tetyana Sydorenko, Shoko Sasayama
Source: Language Teaching Research. 2026 30(3):1593-1618.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Students, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Pragmatics, Artificial Intelligence, In Person Learning, Synchronous Communication, Interaction, Role Playing, Learning Modalities, Communicative Competence (Languages), Student Behavior
DOI: 10.1177/13621688231188310
ISSN: 1362-1688
1477-0954
Abstract: Accomplishing oral interactive workplace tasks requires various language abilities, including pragmatics. While technology-mediated tasks are thought to offer many possibilities for teaching and assessing second language (L2) pragmatics, their effectiveness -- especially those facilitated by an AI agent (artificial intelligence agent) -- remains to be explored. This study investigated how 47 tertiary-level learners of English as a second language (ESL) performed on an oral interactive task that required them to make requests to their boss in two distinct modalities. Each participant completed the same task with a fully automated AI agent and with a human interlocutor in a face-to-face format. Findings showed that both modalities elicited language use relevant to the pragmatics target. However, fully automated interactions were found to be more transactional, while face-to-face interactions were more functionally oriented (e.g. more frequent/varied supportive moves). Although fully automated interactive tasks may be useful for eliciting requests, replicating human-to-human interactions remains a challenge.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500360
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: L2 Learners' Pragmatic Output in a Face-to-Face vs. a Computer-Guided Role-Play Task: Implications for TBLT
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Veronika+Timpe-Laughlin%22">Veronika Timpe-Laughlin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8757-8881">0000-0001-8757-8881</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Judit+Dombi%22">Judit Dombi</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tetyana+Sydorenko%22">Tetyana Sydorenko</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shoko+Sasayama%22">Shoko Sasayama</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Language+Teaching+Research%22"><i>Language Teaching Research</i></searchLink>. 2026 30(3):1593-1618.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 10.1177/13621688231188310
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  Data: 1362-1688<br />1477-0954
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  Data: Accomplishing oral interactive workplace tasks requires various language abilities, including pragmatics. While technology-mediated tasks are thought to offer many possibilities for teaching and assessing second language (L2) pragmatics, their effectiveness -- especially those facilitated by an AI agent (artificial intelligence agent) -- remains to be explored. This study investigated how 47 tertiary-level learners of English as a second language (ESL) performed on an oral interactive task that required them to make requests to their boss in two distinct modalities. Each participant completed the same task with a fully automated AI agent and with a human interlocutor in a face-to-face format. Findings showed that both modalities elicited language use relevant to the pragmatics target. However, fully automated interactions were found to be more transactional, while face-to-face interactions were more functionally oriented (e.g. more frequent/varied supportive moves). Although fully automated interactive tasks may be useful for eliciting requests, replicating human-to-human interactions remains a challenge.
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