Evaluation of Morris (2002) by Myong Hee

Morris, F. (2002). Negotiation moves and recasts in relation to error types and learner repair in the foreign language classroom. Foreign Language Annals, 35(4), 395-404.

This study investigates interaction of adult beginning learners of Spanish in the foreign language classroom. Forth-two students formed pairs and worked on the same jigsaw task. Their interaction was coded for types of error (syntactic/lexical), types of negative feedback (explicit/recasts/negotiation moves), and repair. Findings show that (1) they did not use explicit negative feedback; however, they provided implicit negative feedback (70% of errors received); (2) syntactic errors tended to invite recasts, whereas lexical errors tended to invite negotiation moves; (3) they tended to repair ill-formed utterance immediately, but the frequency of repaired errors followed feedback was low; and (4) all syntactic repairs and the majority of lexical repairs followed negotiation moves.

I found this article useful. The role of interaction has been central in SLA and accordingly pair and small group activities have been promoted in the L2 classroom. Along with a CLT approach, a small group activity has been highly encouraged in order to promote student-centered class and to improve fluency through practicing a target language. In the case of EFL context, a small group activity is the major source of learner interaction, along with teacher-learner interaction. As I promote a lot of group work in my classes, I have been curious to know whether it is beneficial to my students. This study reveals what is going on between NNS learners while interacting in dyads. It may be a good example to those who want to investigate a similar study in other FL classrooms.

I’d like to recommend this article to be added to our SLS 750. As I mentioned above, peer correction is another important feedback area to explore. I guess there are some (at least a few) who are planning to look into peer feedback in the FL/SL classroom. For those, this study may be a good reference.