Interactional Patterns Of Teacherless Online Community Of Language Learners

Abstract

Opportunities for interaction have been identified as a main contributing factor for successful learning of a second or foreign language. New learning theories and the advent of technology have affected the nature of interaction in language classes. One of the latest learning theories encouraging interaction is Sociocultural Theory. Lately this theory has been applied into language learning. The theory believes that novices can learn more when they learn through interaction with more knowledgeable peers than when they learn by their own. Considering the important role of interaction this study investigated the interactional features of successful and unsuccessful online communities of language learning. The findings revealed distinguishing patterns in terms of the response time and sense of belonging among others. Successful communities seem to have a shorter response time and a higher sense of belonging Keywords: Interactional Patterns, Online, Language