Helping Each Other Along: An Investigation into How Language Learners Can Work Together to Increase Language Accuracy

Abstract

This mixed-methods project was designed to answer four questions around the quality of oral production of French Immersion students: How does the nature of the interactions between intermediate-level FI students provide possibilities for them to engage in peer oral corrective feedback (OCF)? To what extent do students engage in peer OCF following targeted instruction in the technique? If peer OCF is taking place, to what extent is it having an impact on the accuracy of the targeted forms for correctors and correctees in terms of noticing and production? How comfortable (or willing) are students with providing and receiving OCF to and from their peers (both higher & lower proficiency)? A pre- & post-test, and questionnaire, format was used, and detailed analysis of participants in L2 interaction was carried out. The results indicated that the target structures and the OCF techniques may have been too cumbersome to elicit any improvement, or to elicit much peer OCF. However the conversation analysis indicated that in certain circumstances intermediate FI students could participate in sustained L2 interaction, and that within their interactions there were many openings for other forms of active assistance between learners.