This paper investigates time-gaining strategies and other communication strategies as possible means used to handle communication difficulties and to compensate for the lack of English L2 linguistic knowledge. Fillers such as uh, um, okay are regarded as reduction or avoidance strategies commonly used by learners at a lower level of language proficiency used in order to gain time to think and to keep the communication channel open. Conversely, achievement or compensatory strategies refer to strategies used to expand the linguistic resources in order to achieve a communication goal and are commonly used by students at a higher level of language proficiency. One hundred students at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Split, Croatia participated in this study. Students were individually tested by performing five different speech tasks. The study revealed that the students frequently used fillers such as uh and um, whereas other editing terms were employed rarely. The results of this study suggest that it would be very beneficial to teach students a number of different communication strategies which will help them solve potential communication problems as well as contribute to the development of their general oral proficiency.