What's On Your Mind? How Private Speech Mediates Cognition During Initial Non-Primary Language Learning

• Autores: Catherine A. Stafford
• Localización: Applied linguistics, ISSN 0142-6001, Vol. 34, Nº 2, 2013, págs. 151-170
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Vygotskian sociocultural theory of mind holds that language mediates thought. According to the theory, speech does not merely put completed thought into words; rather, it is a tool to refine thought as it evolves in real time. This study investigated from a sociocultural theory of mind perspective how nine beginning learners of Latin used private speech to supplement different types of computer-based learning support in their efforts to self-regulate, or internalize and apply new linguistic knowledge, at the initial stages of learning how to distinguish thematic agent/patient roles in Latin. Analysis of features of participants’ private speech in combination with their learning outcomes showed that successful self-regulation is possible in the context of independent, computer-based learning, and with minimal support from the learning environment, but that for some learners to gain control of the learning task, more responsive, adaptable learning support appeared to be a sine qua non condition of successful self-regulation.