Computer-Assisted Language Learning Conversations: Negotiating an Outcome

This paper proposes a model for CALL software design based on interactionist theories of first and second language acquisition. According to this model CALL software may be classified into two types: those programs which allow the learner to negotiate the outcome of the activity and those in which the outcome is fixed. An experiment was conducted in order to compare the conversational discourse generated by two different groups of students working on negotiable-outcome and non-negotiable- outcome programs. It was found that the negotiable-outcome programs generated discourse which was closer to ordinary conversation and entailed the kind of interaction which a number of researchers have claimed is beneficial to language acquisition.