Recasts, Learner Uptake, and Intake in EFL Classrooms

  • Received : 20120300
  • Published : 2012.06.30

Abstract

The current research dealt with two areas which have been at the center of attention in the field of second language acquisition (SLA): recasts and intake. Although these two are continuously discussed in many studies, not enough research has addressed how they are related. Hence, the current research sought to identify the relationship between learner intake of language forms delivered in the form of recasts in adult EFL classrooms and learner immediate responses to recasts (i.e., uptake). The data were collected from 11 classrooms. A total of 221 recast episodes were observed and learners' responses to recasts were analyzed. On the basis of the recast episodes, multiple-choice recognition tests were developed and administrated to measure learner intake of the linguistic forms targeted by recasts. The study found that a half of recasts brought about learner intake. In addition, the learners responded to recasts in many different ways and their ways of responding were closely related to their intake of linguistic forms targeted by recasts.

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