In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of shared and different first language (L1) background, L1 use amounts, and peer familiarity on the frequency of languagerelated episodes (LREs) and task scores in interactive pair work. By exploring these variables in distinct interactions, the authors attempted to obtain a more fine-grained picture of peer interaction patterns and develop strategies to facilitate short interactive tasks. The study's recordings of the same-L1 dyads were translated to explore whether the participants stayed on task and why they used their L1. Fortytwo intermediate students of English as a second language (ESL) from various L1 backgrounds recruited from a U.S.university participated in the study. They were placed into four dyad types: same-L1/familiar, same-L1/unfamiliar, different-L1/familiar, and different-L1/unfamiliar. Each dyad completed a short interactive spot-the-difference task.Peer familiarity positively affected the production of LREs and task scores, but no clear differences were found between the same-L1 and different-L1 dyads. The researchers also found evidence that peer familiarity affected the same-L1 and different-L1 dyads differently. The dyads stayed on task the entire time, using L1 for task management or vocabulary deliberations. Finally, strong negative correlations were found between L1 use amounts and both LREs and task scores. 2 of 15 | PASTUSHENKOV ET Al. | INTRODUCTIONPeer interaction is an integral component in many communicative classrooms and a major topic of interaction research (Loewen & Sato, 2018). Various researchers have suggested that peer interaction plays a facilitative role in second language (L2) development (for review, see Philp, Adams, & Iwashita, 2014;Sato & Ballinger, 2016), even when feedback is rare (Philp & Iwashita, 2013). Many L2 students consider peer interaction beneficial for learning and also experience it as being less stressful than teacher-student interactions because usually they worry less about making mistakes (Philp et al., 2014;Sato, 2013). Working with peers creates a platform for experimenting with the language (Philp et al., 2014) and obtaining input (Gass, 2017), key components of the interactionist approach (Gass & Mackey, 2015). In line with the interaction hypothesis (Long, 1996), researchers have argued that peer interaction gives learners more time to process input and output and thus more opportunities to discuss the language and resolve communication breakdowns (Loewen & Sato, 2018). In interaction research (e.g., Loewen & Isbell, 2017;Philp, Walter, & Basturkmen, 2010), such language discussions have been traditionally referred to as language-related episodes (LREs). LRE frequency is widely regarded as beneficial for L2 development (Kaivanpanah & Miri, 2017) because LREs involve learners' attention to the language (Philp et al., 2010). LREs capture learning in progress and in action between language learners engaging in a dialogue to better produce, improve, or understand the L2 focusing on either lex...
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