3. Interaction or collaboration? Group dynamics in the foreign language classroom
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Masatoshi Sato
Abstract
This chapter reports on a classroom-based quasi-experimental study examining the relationship between interactional moves and collaborative patterns in peer interaction and their effect on L2 development, using proficiency as an independent variable. Participants were from two parallel Grade 10 English classes in Chile, divided into low and high proficiency classes by the school (N = 53). A series of communicative group work activities were designed and implemented during the regular classes. L2 development was investigated by examining past tense usage and vocabulary size. Focus groups from the two classes (n = 10) were used for analyses of interactional features. Results indicated that learners in the low proficiency group (a) provided more corrective feedback and produced more modified output, (b) engaged in more collaborative interaction, and (c) exhibited a greater L2 development, than the high proficiency group. In order to interpret the results and conceptualize the links among interaction-collaboration-learning, the findings are discussed in relation to a theory in social psychology referred to as social interdependence theory. It is concluded that while proficiency does have an impact on learners’ interactional behaviours, a collaborative mindset – a learner’s psychological approach towards the partner and/or task – may be a stronger mediating factor for L2 development.
Abstract
This chapter reports on a classroom-based quasi-experimental study examining the relationship between interactional moves and collaborative patterns in peer interaction and their effect on L2 development, using proficiency as an independent variable. Participants were from two parallel Grade 10 English classes in Chile, divided into low and high proficiency classes by the school (N = 53). A series of communicative group work activities were designed and implemented during the regular classes. L2 development was investigated by examining past tense usage and vocabulary size. Focus groups from the two classes (n = 10) were used for analyses of interactional features. Results indicated that learners in the low proficiency group (a) provided more corrective feedback and produced more modified output, (b) engaged in more collaborative interaction, and (c) exhibited a greater L2 development, than the high proficiency group. In order to interpret the results and conceptualize the links among interaction-collaboration-learning, the findings are discussed in relation to a theory in social psychology referred to as social interdependence theory. It is concluded that while proficiency does have an impact on learners’ interactional behaviours, a collaborative mindset – a learner’s psychological approach towards the partner and/or task – may be a stronger mediating factor for L2 development.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgement of reviewers vii
-
Introduction
- Understanding peer interaction 1
-
Section I: Interactional patterns and learner characteristics
- 1. Peer interaction and learning 33
- 2. Peer interaction and metacognitive instruction in the EFL classroom 63
- 3. Interaction or collaboration? Group dynamics in the foreign language classroom 91
- 4. Interactional behaviours of low-proficiency learners in small group work 113
- 5. Collaborative dialogue in a two-way Spanish/English immersion classroom 135
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Section II: Tasks and interactional modalities
- 6. Peer interaction in F2F and CMC contexts 163
- 7. Thai EFL learners’ interaction during collaborative writing tasks and its relationship to text quality 185
- 8. Engagement with the language 209
- 9. EFL task-based interaction 241
- 10. A focus on mode 267
- 11. Small-group meta-analytic talk and Spanish L2 development 291
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Section III: Learning settings
- 12. How adolescents use social discourse to open space for language learning during peer interactions 319
- 13. Peer interaction while learning to read in a new language 349
-
Epilogue
- New pathways in researching interaction 377
- Index 397
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgement of reviewers vii
-
Introduction
- Understanding peer interaction 1
-
Section I: Interactional patterns and learner characteristics
- 1. Peer interaction and learning 33
- 2. Peer interaction and metacognitive instruction in the EFL classroom 63
- 3. Interaction or collaboration? Group dynamics in the foreign language classroom 91
- 4. Interactional behaviours of low-proficiency learners in small group work 113
- 5. Collaborative dialogue in a two-way Spanish/English immersion classroom 135
-
Section II: Tasks and interactional modalities
- 6. Peer interaction in F2F and CMC contexts 163
- 7. Thai EFL learners’ interaction during collaborative writing tasks and its relationship to text quality 185
- 8. Engagement with the language 209
- 9. EFL task-based interaction 241
- 10. A focus on mode 267
- 11. Small-group meta-analytic talk and Spanish L2 development 291
-
Section III: Learning settings
- 12. How adolescents use social discourse to open space for language learning during peer interactions 319
- 13. Peer interaction while learning to read in a new language 349
-
Epilogue
- New pathways in researching interaction 377
- Index 397
