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In:Integrating Chinese Linguistic Research and Language Teaching and Learning
Edited by Hongyin Tao
[Studies in Chinese Language and Discourse 7] 2016
► pp. 97–120

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Metalinguistic awareness and self-repair in Chinese language learning

 | Ohio University
Published online: 3 October 2016
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/scld.7.06tao
The importance of metalinguistic knowledge in foreign language learning is exemplified by beginning Chinese learners’ practice of self-initiated self-repairs. It demonstrates how such knowledge helps learners to enhance accurate L2 production. Repair constitutes an important part of the social organization of conversation for the interactional needs of human communication. Self-repair by native speakers illustrates their metalinguistic awareness of communicative needs at the subliminal level; whereas self-repair by beginning Chinese language learners reflects their conscious effort and self-monitoring of their utterances for accurate Chinese production. This study suggests that developing metalinguistic knowledge should help learners to suppress L1 influence, and linguistic research offers a vital role in fostering the development of learners’ metalinguistic knowledge.
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