Article published In:
ITL - International Journal of Applied LinguisticsVol. 141/142 (2003) ► pp.301–344
Vol. 141/142 (2003) ► pp.301–344
Negative Evidence in Language Classroom Activities
A Study of its Availability and Accessibility to Language Learners
This study sought to identify and describe how negative evidence was made available and accessible in responses to learners during two classroom activities: a teacher-led discussion, which emphasized communication of subject matter content, and a teacher-led sentence construction exercise, which focused on application of grammatical rules.
Data came from adult, pre-academic English language learners during six discussions of American film and literature, and six sets of sentence construction exercises. Findings revealed little availability of negative evidence in the discussions, as students' fluent, multi-error contributions drew responses that were primarily back-channels and continuation moves. Greater availability and accessibility of negative evidence were found in the sentence construction exercises, as students were given feedback following their completion of individual sentences.
Results from the study suggested several pedagogical implications and applications.
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