Written Corrective Feedback: The need for collaboration and multidirectional interaction

Nicholas Carr; Michiko Weinmann

doi:10.21153/tesol2018vol27no1art770770

Authors

Nicholas Carr Deakin University, Australia
Michiko Weinmann Deakin University, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21153/tesol2018vol27no1art770770

Keywords:

written corrective feedback, sociocultural theory, zone of proximal development, TESOL, adult learners

Abstract

Over the last two decades, there has been significant debate surrounding the potential benefits, or potential harm, generated from the provision of written corrective feedback (WCF) on the writing of language learners. The majority of research in the field has been conducted within a positivist paradigm, which often adopted experimental research designs that measured language development in the form of correct output of targeted linguistic items, with the output sometimes being limited to a single writing task. Through the use of an interpretive paradigm and a socio-culturally informed theoretical framework, this case study examines language development reflected by progression within the language learners’ zone of proximal development (ZPD), generated via the provision of direct WCF. Retrospective interviews provide rich qualitative data that highlight the experiences of participants as they process three different types of WCF. This case study found that WCF was not able to generate any significant shifts towards self regulation within the participants’ ZPD, and thus learning generated via WCF was, at best, minimal. The need for learners to collaborate in order to co-construct their ZPDs during both the processing of WCF and construction stage of writing tasks was identified. Pedagogical implications for language teachers are discussed.

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Author Biographies

Nicholas Carr, Deakin University, Australia

Nicholas Carr is a PhD candidate at Deakin University at the School of Education. He received a Bachelor of Business from Swinburne University and a Master of TESOL from Deakin University. He has much experience as a lecturer in the EFL context of Japan. Research interests include WCF, sociocultural theory, writing processes and multilingualism.
Michiko Weinmann, Deakin University, Australia

Michiko Weinmann is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Deakin University, Australia. Michiko lectures in Languages and TESOL/ EAL pedagogy, multilingualism and multilingual education. Her research explores the nexus of language, culture, body and identity. The theoretical resources of her work are drawn from post-colonial theories, feminism and sociology of the body.

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