This study investigates the factors influencing the oral communication strategies of
technological university students in Taiwan. Ninety-eight sophomore students of Lunghwa
University of Science and Technology participated in it. Nakatani’s Oral Communication
Strategy Inventory (OCSI) (2006), along with the demographics and English learning
backgrounds of students, was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, a one way
ANOVA, the Pearson correlation and multiple regressions using SPSS were applied to
analyze the data. The study finds that students most often employed message reduction and
alternation strategies and least often employed message abandonment strategies. Students’
self-perceived oral proficiency, the frequency of and motivation in speaking English were
significantly correlated with the use of oral communication strategies. However, gender and
English proficiency did not have any effect on the use of oral communication strategies.
Finally, the frequency of speaking English outside the classroom and motivation in speaking
English were the powerful predictors of the use of oral communication strategies among
this group of learners. Thus, the inquiry highlights the importance of functional practice and
intrinsic motivation in the development of communication strategies and oral competence. It
is hoped that this study will encourage a more serious reflection on the oral proficiency of
technological university students. At the same time, EFL teachers will find more efficient
methods to instruct students in effective communication strategies, allowing them to employ
the strategies skillfully in their future communication with native and nonnative speakers.