University of Isfahan Applied Research on English Language 2252-0198 2 2 2013 07 01 Individual differences and development of speech act production 1 16 15467 10.22108/are.2013.15467 EN Naoko Taguchi Carnegie Mellon University, USA Journal Article 2013 05 01 This  study  examined  the  effects  of  individual  difference  (ID)  factors  on  changing  pragmatic <br />abilities  among  L2  learners  of  English.  Participants  were  48  Japanese  EFL  students  in  an <br />English-medium  university  in  Japan.  They  completed  a  pragmatic  speaking  test  (k=12)  that <br />assessed  their  ability  to  produce  two  speech  acts:  requests  and  opinions,  in  high-  and  low-imposition  situations.  The  measure  was  given  three  times  during  one  academic  year.  Speech <br />acts  were  evaluated  for  appropriateness  and  fluency.  Three  ID  factors  (proficiency,  orientation <br />towards English study, and lexical access skill) were measured, and their effects on changes in <br />appropriateness and fluency of speech act production were assessed. Results revealed significant <br />effects  of  individual  factors  on  pragmatic  change,  but  the  effects  appeared  differently  between <br />appropriateness and fluency. https://are.ui.ac.ir/article_15467_8a2919581329e60bd8bbb82b7a4fab3c.pdf