| Summary: | Research has shown that learner-learner interaction during task-based, online text chat
increases learner participations, reduces anxiety level and promotes learner attention to language
form while communicating meaning (Smith, 2008; Sotillo, 2005). Therefore, language learners
should be given the opportunities to communicate with each other and to work collaboratively
using appropriate materials in the online text chat setting. Relatively little research in the context
of engineering, technical or science students doing language courses (e.g. Nik, 2010) has
investigated how engineering-based tasks are used in online text chat may influence language
learning opportunities during task performance. This is particularly important because
engineering jobs increasingly require electronic communication (Lee & Yeap, 2005). The data
gathered from the text chat transcripts of engineering degree students provide evidence that taskbased
text chat interactions to a certain extent may promote attention to language expression and
provide language learning opportunities.
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