The study of interaction features used by intermediate iranian efl learners in their lexical language related episodes

Abstract

Negotiation of meaning refers to interactional work done by interlocutors to attain joint understanding when a communication difficulty comes about. This study uses a qualitative perspective to consider the development of participant utterances in interaction in every moment. 10 English as a foreign language learners in a language school in Iran were chosen to participate in a dictogloss activity in which they were required to describe a certain word. The interaction features in their lexical language related episodes were analyzed. The results indicate that students use a wide range of interaction features in their collaborations. These features help learners generate a scaffolding structure in the LLREs in which meaning discovering is made. The use of interactive features fostered metalinguistic awareness and encouraged learners’ self-regulation. © 2018 ACADEMY PUBLICATION.