Globalization Now and Later. A Study of Interactive Argumentation among EFL Learners

Abstract:

People usually commence an argument in hope for persuading the other party. These arguments can be a part of their job or personal life, which may influence the life of people around them or sometimes in case of a political debate, can affect lives of millions of people. The situation can get more challenging if the argument is produced in a language other than someone's mother tongue and in this respect, language proficiency can be of great value to them. One of the most important goals of language teaching classes is to teach the students of foreign languages how to develop information processes in order to express themselves. In the present study, the performance of seven students who study English in a private language school in Iran, is analyzed in a debate on 'globalization'. These Farsi speaking learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) used some collaborative and individual strategies in the process of interactive argumentation. It can be said that this debate met the requirements of a 'pro et contra' (for and against) argument mentioned by Naess (2005). The views that are in favor of the debate's subject are mentioned as well as the views against it. It does not seem to have a conclusion and the views were not weighed against each other, they were merely introduced and both sides were indicated. This mainly took place due to of lack of time to consider all the aspects of the arguments. Therefore, it can be maintained that the result of this argumentation was 'globalization now and later'. According to Hirsch's 'minimal model of ideal interactive argumentation', this may seem to be a terrible situation, but in fact it is "a very realistic assumption to make about argumentation as an on-going interactive enterprise" (1987: 440).