Computer Mediated Discussions in Second Language Writing: Intertextual Connections

Περίληψη

This quantitative study aims to shed lights on the specifics of computer mediated communication (CMC) within the context of the second language acquisition (SLA) writing processes by examining the pre-writing interactions and the first drafts of 60 English as a Second Language adult learners. These interactions took place either in a synchronous (SCMC) or asynchronous computer-mediated communication (ACMC) environment. The focus was on the lexical intertextual connections evident when the pre-writing discussions of the learners were compared with the subsequent drafts accounting for the mode communication. The lexical items of the pre-wring discussion and the first drafts were statistically analyzed by applying a t-test. This analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant difference (α = .05) between the ACMC and SCMC groups in terms of pre-writing discussion and first draft lexical intertextual connections. The participants who conducted their pre-writing discussions in an ACMC mode were more likely to use lexical items from the discussion in their first drafts as compared to the SCMC participants. The researcher believes that these findings can inform distance and computer-enhanced education in general as well as language learning and further the research in this area.