Chat as a follow-up to timed conversations: An integrated approach

Abstract

This article introduces a technique of using online chat to focus students’ attention on problems of grammar and word choice within the context of meaningful linguistic exchanges. It outlines a process of having in-class student-to-student conversations with a specific target expression. That conversation is then repeated as a homework assignment via online chat. Using the transcript of the chat the teacher gives feedback to the students, who in the following lesson incorporate that feedback into the next conversation practice. After the description of the teaching process, this article introduces the voices of some of the participants in this study to illustrate the effectiveness of the exercise.