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Part of
Languaging in Language Learning and Teaching: A collection of empirical studies
Edited by Wataru Suzuki and Neomy Storch
[Language Learning & Language Teaching 55] 2020
► pp. 149–170

Chapter 7
Languaging in wiki-based collaborative writing:

Functions and mediating factors

| Texas A&M University-Commerce

Despite the acknowledgement of the role of languaging in collaborative writing, little research has examined how L2 students use language to mediate the process of jointly composing a text during asynchronous computer-mediated collaborative writing. This chapter reports on a study that investigated the languaging of three small groups of EFL students and the factors mediating languaging when completing a collaborative wiki writing task. The results revealed that languaging served multiple functions: resolving various language problems, negotiating and deciding about content and text organization, as well as mediating social relationships. Learners’ perception of task goals, language proficiency grouping, and patterns of interaction explained the ways in which the three groups engaged in languaging.

Keywords: collaborative writing, languaging, LRE, mediating factor, Wiki
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Literature review
    • Languaging in collaborative writing
    • Factors mediating languaging and LREs
    • Research gap
  • Methodology
    • Participants
    • Study procedure
    • Patterns of interaction
    • Data analysis
  • Results
    • Functions languaging serves
    • Language-related episodes (LREs)
    • Mediating factors
      • Perception of task goals
      • Language proficiency grouping
      • Patterns of interaction
  • Discussion and conclusion
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 14 August 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.55.07li
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