The purpose of the paper is to investigate L2 learners` perception of contextual factors embedded into various situations, and the effect of perception on the use of strategies in the performance of the act of requests. To this end, a study was undertaken in which both Korean students of English and native speakers of English participated as subjects, and data were gathered via two differing methods. In the study, subjects were asked to read the description of each item of discourse completion test, and to write down what they would say in a given item. Right after completing each item, subjects were asked to assess three contextual factors (social power, familiarity, and degree of imposition) embedded into that item by answering three rating questions in terms of a four-point scale. The analysis of data indicated that in some situations two groups showed similarities while in other situations they differed in the perception of contextual factors. Also two groups differed greatly from each other in that learners tended to rely mainly on direct requests in most situations in which English native speakers preferred conventionally indirect requests with appropriate downgrading, which demonstrated that native speakers were far more polite than learners. In addition, EFL learners differed considerably from ESL learners in the use of request strategies and downgrading. The latter was more proficient than the former in employing conventionally indirect requests, and using downgrading for the expression of politeness. Finally, some teaching suggestions were provided for helping learners in an EFL context to promote their socio-pragmatic competence.

• 서재석 | Jae Suk Suh