ERIC Number: EJ1083734
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Dec
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1916-4742
EISSN: N/A
Investigating Mediations in Student Activities in an English Immersion Context in Mainland China
Liang, Xiaohua
English Language Teaching, v2 n4 p38-50 Dec 2009
This study aims to investigate the role of mediation in the learning process from a sociocultural perspective, activity theory in particular. This study was carried out in a primary English immersion school within the CCUEI Programs in Mainland China. Data were collected mainly through observations and interviews, which were then supplemented by field notes. Techniques of discourse analysis were used to analyze the data. The recorded peer talk presents an emic picture of what occurred during children's interactions. Research findings show that mediation includes task, teacher talk, peer talk, subject content, semiotic artifacts and other semiotic tools. Peer talk as well as linguistic resources constitutes an important resource aside from teacher talk, where the subject content serves as an important mediational tool in the activity and the content-based immersion programs, while offering students opportunities of using the language in meaningful interactions. The results offer insights to both students and teachers about language learning and about pedagogy and professional education respectively.
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Role, Learning Processes, Semiotics, Peer Relationship, Sociocultural Patterns, Immersion Programs, Elementary School Students, Discourse Analysis, Interviews, Observation, Course Content, Teaching Methods, Language Usage, Case Studies, Classroom Communication, Video Technology, Teacher Student Relationship, Code Switching (Language)
Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309, Toronto, OH M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: elt@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A