A Study Of Other-Repetition Features In English Classroom Peer Interactions: A Language Socialization Perspective

Using the methodological framework of conversation analysis as a central tool for analysis,this study investigated the other-repetition features in classroom peer interactions by EFL Chinese learners from the perspective of language socialization.It was aimed at exploring the classroom peer other-repetition from five perspectives: the features of classroom peer other-repetition in terms of other-repetition moves and other-repetition triggers;the pattern features of classroom peer other-repetition;the interpretations of other-repetition features;the nature of language learners' language socialization through other-repetitions;and the influencing factors in peer's language socialization.The present study made a number of important findings.In respect of other-repetition moves,six types were found to frequently occur in peer interactions and had different distribution features in classroom peer interactions.Ranked from high to low in terms of frequency,they were positive reply,taking into account,confirmation request,“usurping the floor”,“others”,negative reply.With respect to the other-repetition triggers,this study found that six kinds of triggers most often initiated other-repetition moves in classroom peer interactions.Ranked from high to low in terms of frequency,they were content triggers,“other-kind triggers” the second highest,vocabulary triggers,pronouncing triggers,morphosyntactic triggers.The study also found four distinct patterns of classroom peer other-repetition: the collaborative pattern,the expert-novice pattern and the expert-expert pattern and the dominant-passive pattern.Among those four patterns of peer other-repetition practices,EFL learners were more preferable for the first three patterns.And those four patterns were not fixed but dynamic once they were established.This study further found that the relaxing and free nature of peer interactions,the special form of dyads,and the multi-functions of other-repetition were the possible aspects that contributed to the features of classroom peer other-repetition.This study in-depth found that other-repetition served as a complex socialization process.One distinct aspect of peer's socialization process was the improvement in cultural competence,prominently manifested in acquisition of language knowledge,including content knowledge and linguistic knowledge.Another prominent aspect of peer's socialization process was the improvement of social competence.In this process,EFL learners developed their interactive participation,construct their identities,improved their competence of creative thinking and making intertextual connections.This study also found that collaborative classroom environment,“legitimate peripheral participation” and asymmetric knowledge were the most significant among all the possible factors that influencing peer's language socialization process to some extent.It was concluded that analysis of other-repetition features within the framework of language socialization,facilitates the investigation of language acquisition process and better understanding of the relationship among language,culture and society in the process of language socialization.This study finally summarized the major findings,as well as some implications for language learning.The limitations of this study were provided in addition with suggestions for further study.