Week 7 Reflection - Synchronous CMC

Two things that struck me from our readings this week about synchronous CMC (SCMC) are the benefits arising from anonymity during text-based SCMC exchanges and the turn-taking balancing mechanisms that occur among participants. As DuBravac mentioned in chapter 7, students can enter a chat room and simply observe native speakers virtually interacting with one another without having to contribute or participate, or even be noticed. This fly-on-the-wall option allows second language learners to pick up on some of the pragmatics and norms of native-speaker interaction (although whether or not the other participants are native speakers might be indeterminable) in real time and in the online realm. Then, with time and as they feel more confident, they can begin to contribute and interact, as well. If I were learning a second language, I would really like this option. Simple observation is beneficial because it provides authentic input and exposure to the language, but it is rare when a person can comfortably sit in on a conversation without being expected to contribute. SCMC chat rooms allow that option. Additionally, as Lai and Li mentioned, the anonymity of text-based CMC may help to lower affective filters during tasks, increasing the chances for a greater amount of language production. A lower affective filter means less anxiety about communicating in a second language, increasing motivation and allowing for a more open, free-flowing conversation.

Another reason why SCMC appeals to me is, as DuBravac discussed, the way it naturally moderates turn-taking. Conversing face-to-face with aggressive speakers is intimidating and unfruitful for quieter, more reserved students, and being able to formulate a response and type it out and put it forth in a chat room regardless of the more aggressive speaker's long-winded turn is comforting. No matter what, in the SCMC realm, if a person has something that she wants to contribute, she can. And she can do so without having to interrupt or feel rude. In my experience, though, this can also lead to disjointed and confusing conversations that bounce back and forth between topics as every speaker tries to get their opinion out about something said 3 minutes ago. Another drawback is that without the facial and vocal cues provided during face-to-face interaction, messages often get misconstrued or are interpreted incorrectly, leading to conversational break-downs and potential negative feelings. This can be especially difficult for non-native speakers who might not understand some of the more hidden cultural norms when it comes to interacting. Despite these drawbacks, SCMC is becoming a more and more necessary form of communication, whether native or non-native speaking, and gaining some competence in this kind of interaction is necessary to become a fluent speaker of a language.