Differences in the task-supported negotiations of younger and older EFL children: from repair into prevention

The benefits of task-supported interaction are especially noticeable when negotiation of meaning (NoM) occurs. Despite the large amount of research on interaction, children's ability to collaborate and to understand their partners' needs remains underresearched. This capacity has b...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Hidalgo Gordo, María Ángeles
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/52749
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/52749
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Task-supported interaction
EFL
Negotiation of meaning
Young learners
Descripción
Sumario:The benefits of task-supported interaction are especially noticeable when negotiation of meaning (NoM) occurs. Despite the large amount of research on interaction, children's ability to collaborate and to understand their partners' needs remains underresearched. This capacity has been questioned, and has been claimed to develop with age. From an interactionist perspective, we have analysed the oral interactions of 80 Spanish young learners (YLs) of English as a foreign language (EFL) from two age groups (8-9 and 10-11), when performing a collaborative task. Specifically, we have examined the nature of NoM and the strategies YLs use. Significant differences between the groups were identified: whereas younger children negotiate mostly to repair communication breakdowns, older YLs show a greater concern about their interlocutor's needs. As in previous research addressing this population, focus on form strategies are rare. This study sheds light on our understanding of how young EFL learners negotiate in task-supported interactions.