This study investigates whether model dialogues in currently available middle school English textbooks present appropriate pragmatic input in the realization of speech acts or communicative functions with a focus on the authenticity of the textbook dialogues. To attain this purpose, a total of 18 textbooks were scrutinized in terms of communicative functions. The results showed that many of the textbook dialogues are devoid of adequate treatment of speech acts or communicative functions. The poor representation was evident in a wide array of communicative functions such as requesting/favor-asking, thanking, inviting, encouraging, complaining, responding to complaints, expressing sympathy, expressing surprise, refusing and responding to refusals. The misrepresented functions were largely due to the lack of sensitivity to situational constraints, interlocutor variables, and/or formality. Some cases were ascribed to pragmatic transfer from the native language. This study will contribute to the improvement of the currently available textbooks so that they can provide authentic speech act input.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of English oral presentation strategy training (OPST) in EFL contexts. For this study, eight university students of 4 high and 4 low proficiency level are selected. The participants were provided with an OPST over 5 weeks including 8 times of training. During the OPST, the participants learned 25 strategy, 17 verbal and 8 non-verbal strategies. The verbal strategies were again divided into two parts: general verbal strategies and genre specific strategies. For the validity of the present study a “triangulation” was achieved through the use of video recording, classroom observation, questionnaire, in-depth interview, and the native English speaker’s evaluation. The results of the study demonstrated that the participants showed some improvement in the use of presentation strategies, especially organizational and verbal components of the strategies rather than nonlinguistic components. The proficiency level of the participants had an effect on the frequency of use of strategies after the OPST. Overall, the OPST was found to have positive effects on the participants’ attitude toward English oral presentations. On the basis of the results of the study, some teaching implications for improving presentation skills in university EAP contexts are provided.