Study Of Errors, Corrective Feedback, And Noticing In Second Language Computer-Mediated Communication (SCMC)

Second Language Computer-Mediated Communication (SCMC) has become increasingly popular in language learning environments due to its convenience and flexibility. With the advent of online platforms, learners can now engage in real-time interactions with native speakers, practicing their language skills and receiving feedback remotely.

In recent years, researchers have shown an interest in investigating errors, corrective feedback, and noticing in SCMC. Understanding how learners perceive and correct their mistakes can provide valuable insights for improving language teaching practices.

The Significance of Error Correction in SCMC

Errors are an inevitable part of language learning. They serve as indicators of a learner's current proficiency level and can be seen as opportunities for growth. When engaged in SCMC, learners often make mistakes, ranging from simple grammatical errors to mispronunciations.

A STUDY OF ERRORS, CORRECTIVE FEEDBACK AND NOTICING IN SCMC

by Jean Teulé (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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Corrective feedback plays a crucial role in the language acquisition process. It helps learners notice and correct their mistakes, enhancing their language production skills. In SCMC, corrective feedback can be delivered in various forms, including explicit error corrections, implicit feedback, and metalinguistic cues.

The Role of Noticing in Error Correction

Noticing refers to a learner's ability to perceive and pay attention to linguistic features. It involves the identification of errors, comparison to the target language, and subsequent modification of output. Noticing is a critical aspect of error correction in SCMC.

In a study conducted by Smith et al. (2021), it was found that learners who actively noticed their errors during SCMC interactions demonstrated significant improvements in their language skills. By actively monitoring their output and self-correcting, learners increased their awareness of linguistic features, leading to enhanced accuracy in subsequent communication.

The Influence of Corrective Feedback Types

The type of corrective feedback provided in SCMC can vary, depending on the learning context and instructors' preferences. It can be either explicit or implicit in nature.

Explicit corrective feedback involves directly pointing out and correcting errors made by the learner. This approach is commonly used when learners are at a beginner or intermediate level and require more guidance. On the other hand, implicit corrective feedback focuses on providing hints, reformulations, or recasts without explicitly highlighting the error. This approach is more suitable for advanced learners who need minimal interference in their conversation flow.

A study by Johnson et al. (2020) compared the effectiveness of explicit and implicit corrective feedback in SCMC. The results showed that both types of feedback contributed to error reduction. However, learners who received explicit corrections demonstrated faster improvement in accuracy, while those exposed to implicit feedback displayed enhanced fluency.

Strategies for Enhancing Error Correction in SCMC

Based on research findings, several strategies can be employed to maximize the effectiveness of error correction in SCMC:

1. Encouraging learners to actively notice their errors and self-correct.
2. Providing a safe and supportive learning environment where learners feel comfortable making mistakes.
3. Using a combination of explicit and implicit corrective feedback, tailored to learners' proficiency levels.
4. Offering regular opportunities for practice and interaction in SCMC to reinforce learning.
5. Training instructors to provide constructive feedback that focuses on both accuracy and fluency.

By implementing these strategies, language educators can optimize the language learning experience in SCMC and facilitate the development of learners' communication skills.

The Future of Error Correction in SCMC

As technology continues to evolve, SCMC will likely play an increasingly significant role in language education. Researchers are expected to delve further into the complexities of error correction in SCMC, investigating factors such as the timing and frequency of corrective feedback, individual learners' preferences, and the impact of different communication tools.

By gaining a deeper understanding of how errors, corrective feedback, and noticing intersect in SCMC, educators can design more effective language learning environments that harness the potential of technology.

A STUDY OF ERRORS, CORRECTIVE FEEDBACK AND NOTICING IN SCMC

by Jean Teulé (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	835 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	51 pages

FREE

This study investigated the different types of errors that learners produce in chat logs and also analyzed the different types of corrective feedback given by the teacher. An eye tracker was employed to study the eye movements of the participants to see how they notice the corrective feedback. This investigation can assist teachers to act better in online classrooms and helps them understand which type of corrective feedback is most likely to result in uptake. The results showed that the most common errors in chat logs were related to grammar. It was also found that both recasts and metalinguistic feedback were noticed most of the time during the chat sessions although only a few of them led to uptake in post task session.