The nature of dialogic reflection on L2 spoken performances of tertiary-level students

This study aims to explore the nature of dialogic reflections of L2 tertiary level learners on their spoken performances through qualitative sociocultural research. To conduct the study, 24 tertiary level L2 learners were given six different speaking tasks throughout 12 weeks, and they did the tasks in the classroom with their pairs and audio-recorded their conversation. Then, the learners listened to their performances and reflected on them dialogically with their pair, and audio-recorded their reflections. The learners yielded 22 hours of interaction with their peers. All the tasks and reflections were recorded, transcribed, and categorized through MAXQDA, a software platform. To analyze the data, sociocultural theory-based analysis methods, which are microgenetic approach and sociocultural discourse analysis, both of which are included in microanalysis methods, were used. The findings revealed that there are two main categories occurring while reflecting dialogically. The most common one is showing regulatory behaviors, and the other one is having affective involvement. In the dialogic reflection sessions, regulatory behaviors appeared in two ways; (1) the learners either initiated a conversation by asking questions, making suggestions, asking for guidance or clarification, and raising awareness or (2) showed regulated behaviors by scaffolding their pairs, making language-related explanations, and establishing mutual understanding between each other. Besides, affective involvement happed in two ways; the first one happened when learners felt their achievement, and secondly when they wanted to praise their pairs or themselves. Finally, the findings give implications for the use of reflection with learners, learner improvement, and classroom interaction.