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Second Handbook of English Language Teaching pp 1–19Cite as

Mediating L2 Learning Through Classroom Interaction

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Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE))

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the interactional dynamics of L2 English classrooms with an emphasis on how teachers mediate opportunities for learning. In L2 English classrooms, including English as a foreign language, English as a medium of instruction, and content and language-integrated learning settings, teachers require particular skills which allow them to make structures of L2 accessible through their interactional decisions. These teachers, we suggest, need an appropriate level of interactional competence to create opportunities and space where learning can occur. In this chapter, using data from a range of contexts, we present transcripts of video-recorded classes and demonstrate the ways in which learning is mediated, space created, and opportunities for learning established through a focus on Classroom Interactional Competence (CIC). We illustrate a variety of interactional practices that evidence CIC, including increased wait time, reduced teacher echo, and various feedback practices including the shaping of learner contributions. We also highlight the multimodal and multilingual aspects of CIC and discuss implications for L2 teacher education.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

    Steve Walsh

  2. Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Steve Walsh

  3. School of Education, Culture and Communication, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden

    Olcay Sert

Authors
  1. Steve Walsh
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  2. Olcay Sert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steve Walsh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong

    Xuesong Gao

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Walsh, S., Sert, O. (2019). Mediating L2 Learning Through Classroom Interaction. In: Gao, X. (eds) Second Handbook of English Language Teaching. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58542-0_35-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58542-0_35-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-58542-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-58542-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education

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