The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning

Purpose - This study investigated the use of metalanguage as a mediational tool in understanding targeted grammatical concepts from the perspective of the Sociocultural approach (SCT) in learning a second language (L2). Methodology - The participants involved in this study were Malay undergrad...

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Автори: Harun, Haliza, Abdullah, Norhana, Ab Wahab, Nur Syuhada, Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi
Формат: Стаття
Мова:English
Опубліковано: Universiti Utara Malaysia Press 2017
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Онлайн доступ:https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29431/1/MJLI%2014%2002%202017%2085-114.pdf
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author Harun, Haliza
Abdullah, Norhana
Ab Wahab, Nur Syuhada
Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi
author_facet Harun, Haliza
Abdullah, Norhana
Ab Wahab, Nur Syuhada
Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi
author_sort Harun, Haliza
collection UUM
description Purpose - This study investigated the use of metalanguage as a mediational tool in understanding targeted grammatical concepts from the perspective of the Sociocultural approach (SCT) in learning a second language (L2). Methodology - The participants involved in this study were Malay undergraduates with low to intermediate proficiency in L2 English. The protocols of learner's verbalisation during a Concept-Based Instruction (CBI) language task were analysed to explore how learners used metalanguage to mediate, facilitate and regulate their L2 learning. A microgenetic analysis was conducted to examine how metalanguage was used as a mediating tool by the learners in the actual L2 learning process. It involved an investigation of the language learning instances that occurred in their natural context. Analysis of the protocols was performed using Languaging Units that were based on the Languaging Types Framework proposed by Swain et al. (2009). Additionally, descriptive statistics were employed to measure the frequency of the languaging units produced by learners in facilitating their L2 development. Findings - Results revealed that through the Languaging Units identified, learners used the linguistic tool as a problem-solving tool to explore form-meaning relationships of the target concepts learnt. Findings corroborated the significant role of language, viewed from Vygotskian thought, in relation to mediating learners cognitive processes. The function of language in this context was two fold, first as a communicative tool, and second as a psychological tool to support learners cognitive and linguistic development in their L2 learning. Significance - This study is significant to L2 researchers and practitioners as it provides insights into how learners make use of their L2 knowledge to optimally support their cognitive processes in gaining understanding of the target language. This, in fact, has long been a neglected issue in the field of L2 learning, as discussion on metalanguage or a learners metalinguistic knowledge is more often associated with presenting a learner with the explicit input of grammar rules in promoting his/her L2 proficiency.
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spelling uum-294312023-04-30T02:16:55Z https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29431/ The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning Harun, Haliza Abdullah, Norhana Ab Wahab, Nur Syuhada Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi L Education (General) Purpose - This study investigated the use of metalanguage as a mediational tool in understanding targeted grammatical concepts from the perspective of the Sociocultural approach (SCT) in learning a second language (L2). Methodology - The participants involved in this study were Malay undergraduates with low to intermediate proficiency in L2 English. The protocols of learner's verbalisation during a Concept-Based Instruction (CBI) language task were analysed to explore how learners used metalanguage to mediate, facilitate and regulate their L2 learning. A microgenetic analysis was conducted to examine how metalanguage was used as a mediating tool by the learners in the actual L2 learning process. It involved an investigation of the language learning instances that occurred in their natural context. Analysis of the protocols was performed using Languaging Units that were based on the Languaging Types Framework proposed by Swain et al. (2009). Additionally, descriptive statistics were employed to measure the frequency of the languaging units produced by learners in facilitating their L2 development. Findings - Results revealed that through the Languaging Units identified, learners used the linguistic tool as a problem-solving tool to explore form-meaning relationships of the target concepts learnt. Findings corroborated the significant role of language, viewed from Vygotskian thought, in relation to mediating learners cognitive processes. The function of language in this context was two fold, first as a communicative tool, and second as a psychological tool to support learners cognitive and linguistic development in their L2 learning. Significance - This study is significant to L2 researchers and practitioners as it provides insights into how learners make use of their L2 knowledge to optimally support their cognitive processes in gaining understanding of the target language. This, in fact, has long been a neglected issue in the field of L2 learning, as discussion on metalanguage or a learners metalinguistic knowledge is more often associated with presenting a learner with the explicit input of grammar rules in promoting his/her L2 proficiency. Universiti Utara Malaysia Press 2017 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en cc4_by https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29431/1/MJLI%2014%2002%202017%2085-114.pdf Harun, Haliza and Abdullah, Norhana and Ab Wahab, Nur Syuhada and Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi (2017) The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction (MJLI), 14 (2). pp. 85-114. ISSN 1675-8110 https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2017.14.2.4
spellingShingle L Education (General)
Harun, Haliza
Abdullah, Norhana
Ab Wahab, Nur Syuhada
Zainuddin, Nurkhamimi
The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning
title The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning
title_full The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning
title_fullStr The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning
title_full_unstemmed The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning
title_short The Use of Metalanguage Among Second Language Learners to Mediate L2 Grammar Learning
title_sort use of metalanguage among second language learners to mediate l2 grammar learning
topic L Education (General)
url https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/29431/1/MJLI%2014%2002%202017%2085-114.pdf
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