The Influence of Chinese University Students' English Grammar Proficiency on Self-Repair in Oral Speech

Shiyi Shao

doi:10.54097/fevprt07

Authors

Shiyi Shao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/fevprt07

Keywords:

Self-repairs, Second-language Speech Production, Grammar Proficiency

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether Chinese university students' English grammar proficiency affects the frequency and types of self-repair. The experiment was conducted in two steps: a grammar proficiency test followed by an oral task. Data were analyzed using T-tests and SPSS. The results indicate no significant differences in the frequency and types of self-repair between high and low grammar proficiency groups. The distribution characteristics of self-repair align with previous research, but the high grammar proficiency group exhibited a higher frequency of grammatical repairs. These findings suggest that although individuals may exhibit a high level of grammatical knowledge, their oral proficiency may not necessarily correspond to the same level. Grammar proficiency is a component of overall English proficiency, but it does not represent the entirety of language ability. The emphasis on written expression in Chinese education provides an explanation for the study's results.

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