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Presenter
Cem Balcikanli
Research Assistant
Gazi University, Gazi Faculty of Education, ELT Department, TURKEY

Title
L2 Learners’ stories: Evidence from language exchange communities as an autonomous learning tool

Abstract

Language learning, in sum, is much more than classroom experience. It takes place outside the classroom informally. Out-of-class experiences play an important role in offering myriad possibilities to L2 language learners. Specifically, online learning gives students control over the selection of materials and over the strategies to use, and of course independent action (Benson, 2001). Many foreign language educators have looked to the potential of networked technologies to enhance and supplement the traditional activities of the communicative classroom, which are often seen as limited and over-focused on the exchange of information (Wollf, 1999; Jarvis, 2004). This session focuses on language exchange communities such as My Language Exchange, Mixxer, xLingo, all of which provide appropriate frameworks for more independent and more real-life-like learning experiences.

The central point I would like to make in the session is that it makes sense to employ language exchange communities as a tool to promote independent learning. Beginning with the concept of language exchange communities, I focus on learner reflection and taking responsibility for one’s own learning processes. The second part of the chapter summarizes a qualitative research study that examines L2 learners’ stories using these communities at the English Language Institute, University of Florida. The interviews demonstrated that the students took advantage of these communities, especially in terms of developing their independent skills. The last part presents insights from the interview data into the use of language exchange communities as an autonomous learning tool on a day-to-day basis in language learning environments throughout the world.