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Contribution to Book
Conversation Analysis and Language Acquisition
The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics (2012)
  • John Hellermann, Portland State University
Abstract
Researchers interested in language in use have used methods from ethnomethodological (EM) conversation analysis (CA) to show convincing evidence for the process of learning as it happens in a turn-by-turn manner in sequences of talk (e.g., Garfinkel, Lynch, & Livingston, 1981; Macbeth, 1994; papers in Markee & Kasper, 2004). Recently, theoretical and practical concerns have motivated researchers using CA to consider the possibilities of observing learning beyond individual interactions, to look longitudinally and propose that learning is observable in changes in practices for interaction (Wagner, 2004; Hellermann, 2007) at different points in time. The practical concerns are developmental (how children learn language), pedagogical (how adults learn additional languages), and vocational (how professionals learn their professions). For much of this research, another practical concern is the expectation of making connections between research and practice.
Keywords
  • Language acquisition,
  • Language and social interaction,
  • Research methods in applied linguistics
Publication Date
November, 2012
Editor
Carol A. Chapelle
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Publisher Statement
DOI: 10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal0205
Citation Information
John Hellermann. "Conversation Analysis and Language Acquisition" The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics (2012)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john_hellermann/14/