ERIC Number: EJ1141842
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-May
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2191-611X
EISSN: N/A
Negotiation of Meaning and Language-Related Episodes in Synchronous, Audio-Based Chinese-German eTandem
Renner, Julia
Language Learning in Higher Education, v7 n1 p137-159 May 2017
The present paper examines negotiation of meaning and language-related episodes in Chinese-German eTandem interaction, focusing on Chinese as target language. Against the background of the interactionist approach to language learning and drawing upon Swain and Lapkin's (1998, Interaction and second language learning: Two adolescent French immersion students working together. "Modern Language" Journal 82. 320-337) concept of "language-related episodes" (LREs), the main focus of this paper is to investigate how negotiation of meaning is undertaken in this particular learning environment, to what extent LREs occur in Chinese-German eTandems, and what the characteristics of these episodes are. Furthermore, differences between novice CFL (Chinese as a Foreign Language) learners and intermediate CFL learners participating in eTandems are identified. The findings show that the participants only use the target languages (Chinese and German) to negotiate meaning. Novice CFL learners rely heavily on code-switching to German, while intermediate learners mainly use Chinese. Compared to negotiation of meaning, LREs occur sparingly and cover word searches and reflections on grammar, pronunciation, and style/expression. Text-chat usage during negotiation of meaning and LREs points to the fact that focus on linguistic form is supported by a switch from oral mode to text-chat.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, German, Chinese, Synchronous Communication, Linguistic Theory, Learning Theories, Intercultural Communication, Computer Mediated Communication, Language Usage, Code Switching (Language), Grammar, Pronunciation, Language Styles, Oral Language, Case Studies, College Students, Foreign Countries, Majors (Students), Video Technology, Second Language Instruction, Program Descriptions, Discourse Analysis, Native Speakers, Error Analysis (Language), Interaction Process Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Austria (Vienna); China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A