Language production in the learning of English as a foreign language: the metalanguage
Keywords:
output, foreign language learning, feedback, metalanguageAbstract
This case study presents evidence of the different ways in which metalanguage can appear in the foreign language (FL) classroom and of the benefits that interactions including reflection upon language can provide to language learning in a group of 4o ESO students. The roles played by output and metalanguage in the second language (L2) learning process has been examined by many studies (Gass and Mackey, 2007; Lyster and Ranta, 1997; Lyster & Saito, 2010; Swain, 1995, 2000; Swain and Lapkin, 1998). The data presented here correspond to an analysis of the language related episodes (LRE) found in the big group and the small group interactions that took place in the 21 sessions observed. To solve their linguistic problems, students resorted to both their mother tongue (L1) and the FL with the aim of completing the assigned task. The episodes collected show how the use of language activates certain mental processes and consequently represents an occasion for learning. The results obtained confirm the benefits of increasing the frequency with which students use the FL in class.
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