Philippine E-Journals

Negotiating Meanings: A Multiple Case Study of Struggling Learners in an English Class

Maricel A Palomata

 

Abstract:

This multiple case study attempted to examine the strategies used by the struggling learners to negotiate meaning to avoid communication breakdown. This study employed purposive selection in identifying the four main participants. The classroom observation reinforced with in-depth interview of the key informants of this study was employed in the data collection. On the other hand, thematic analysis was employed to identify various themes in the study. As observed, generally from their performances in two English classes, the struggling learners had shown a very limited use of strategy to negotiate meaning. Most of them were visibly hesitant to ask questions, share ideas or recite even when called. This study also found out that the strategies used by the struggling learners to negotiate meaning were asking for repetition, requesting for clarification, checking confirmation and requesting for recast. Finally, for the insights gained from the findings, all of them were feeling happy and motivated, self-fulfilled, enlightened, and overwhelmed every time they were able to share their ideas in the class. They also believed that mastery of the English language was also their personal responsibility. Further, they acknowledged the significance of personal effort in improving themselves.