Native Speakers or Non-Native Speakers: Who Has the Floor? Online and Face-to-Face Interaction in Culturally Mixed Small Groups

This study examines the interaction of mixed groups (two native speakers of English with two non-native speakers) both in traditional face-to-face conversation and in an online chat format to note any differences between the two groups. Because of the accumulating research pointing to computer-mediated communication (CMC) as a forum that provides hesitant learners with greater opportunities, it was expected that online interaction would prove to be more equitable than face-to-face conversation. Words and turns were recorded for each four-member group and then counted to measure equity. Besides differences in word and turn distribution, the transcripts revealed a number of interesting qualitative differences between the two groups. From the observations made in this study, we note that language learners not only contribute more often online, but we infer that they also feel more comfortable contributing and are less concerned about any language deficiencies that might cause them to refrain from speaking in a face-to-face setting. These findings are important to language/ESL teachers who plan language learning activities that mix NSs and NNSs together.