Negotiation of Meaning in Online Synchronous Task-Oriented Learner Interaction in EFL Setting

Abstract

This study explores how English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners negotiate meaning during online synchronous task-based interactions. Focusing on three task types—jigsaw, decision-making, and problem-solving—the research examines the frequency, types, and discourse features of negotiation of meaning (NoM) routines in group interaction. The study was conducted with 32 intermediate-level (B1 CEFR) Turkish learners at a state university in Türkiye during the 2023–2024 Fall semester. Data were collected through video recordings of online interactions over six weeks, with participants completing six tasks. A pilot study was carried out to familiarize participants with the task formats and technology. The study used a mixed methods design, including qualitative discourse analysis based on second language acquisition (SLA) literature (Long, 1983) and quantitative frequency analysis to compare NoM routines across task types. Findings indicated that task type influenced both the frequency and nature of NoM routines, consistent with prior research on task-based interaction (Ellis, 2003). Jigsaw tasks produced the highest frequency, particularly clarification requests, while decision-making and problem-solving tasks led to a wider range of routines at lower frequencies. The discourse analysis revealed how NoM episodes were sequentially structured and co-constructed in the online setting, supporting the view that these routines are collaborative in nature. This study enhances the understanding of how learners negotiate meaning in real-time online communication and provides practical insights for task design, digital pedagogy, and EFL teaching in synchronous environments.

Keywords: negotiation of meaning, mixed methods, online synchronous language learning, task-based interaction, discourse analysis, EFL