An investigation of NNS/NNS student output during webex-mediated online group work in a Lebanese university

Abstract

Few studies have explored the discourse features of the interaction of EFL students with a shared first language in computer mediated group work activities. This study aims to contribute to the research in this area by investigating the interaction of 36 students enrolled in an English course at a private university in Lebanon, who completed six group work tasks as part of a simulation project using Webex breakout sessions. The video-recorded interactions were transcribed and coded for L2 use including subcodes for negotiation of meaning and form categories, L1 use, and codeswitching. Results show that completing collaborative tasks in this online medium provided students with a platform to practice negotiation of meaning and form in L2; however, the shared L1 decreased the desirable amount of L2 output and possible L2 negotiations during task-based learning.